Demodulation device, processing device, reception device, and data processing method

ABSTRACT

The present technology relates to a demodulation device, a processing device, a reception device, and a data processing method for more flexibly coping with change in transmission method. 
     Provided is a demodulation device including a demodulation unit configured to demodulate a first transmission packet obtained from a broadcast signal, and an output unit configured to output a divided packet via a predetermined interface, the divided packet being obtained by dividing the first transmission packet that is a variable-length packet used in a first transmission method into a packet length according to a second transmission packet that is a fixed-length packet used in a second transmission method and arranging the first transmission packet in a payload, and adding a header including information for restoring the first transmission packet to the payload. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a demodulation IC incorporated in a television receiver or a set top box.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to a demodulation device, a processingdevice, a reception device, and a data processing method, and moreparticularly to a demodulation device, a processing device, a receptiondevice, and data processing for more flexibly coping with change intransmission method.

BACKGROUND ART

At present, the MPEG2-transport stream (TS) method is widely used as atransmission method for digital broadcasting, but from now on, spread ofthe IP transmission method using internet protocol (IP) packets fordigital broadcasting, which are used in the field of communication, isassumed.

For example, Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0, which isone of the next-generation terrestrial broadcasting standards, is alsoexpected to adopt an IP transmission method to provide more advancedservices (for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, broadcastingmethods other than ATSC 3.0 are also expected to adopt an IPtransmission method in the future.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.    2016-208161

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

By the way, in the case where the MPEG2-TS method is introduced as anexisting transmission method in the operation of digital broadcasting,introduction of an IP transmission method as a new transmission methodis assumed. In that case, it is desirable to more flexibly cope withchange in transmission method.

The present technology has been made in view of such a situation, andintends to more flexibly cope with change in transmission method.

Solutions to Problems

A demodulation device according to a first aspect of the presenttechnology is a demodulation device including: a demodulation unitconfigured to demodulate a first transmission packet obtained from abroadcast signal; and an output unit configured to output a dividedpacket via a predetermined interface, the divided packet being obtainedby dividing the first transmission packet that is a variable-lengthpacket used in a first transmission method into a packet lengthaccording to a second transmission packet that is a fixed-length packetused in a second transmission method and arranging the firsttransmission packet in a payload, and adding a header includinginformation for restoring the first transmission packet to the payload.

The demodulation device according to the first aspect of the presenttechnology may be an independent device or may be internal blocksconstituting one device. Furthermore, a data processing method accordingto the first aspect of the present technology is a data processingmethod corresponding to the above-described demodulation deviceaccording to the first aspect of the present technology.

In the demodulation device and the data processing method according tothe first aspect of the present technology, the first transmissionpacket obtained from the broadcast signal is demodulated. Furthermore,the divided packet is output via a predetermined interface, the dividedpacket being obtained by dividing the first transmission packet that isa variable-length packet used in a first transmission method into apacket length according to a second transmission packet that is afixed-length packet used in a second transmission method and arrangingthe first transmission packet in a payload, and adding a headerincluding information for restoring the first transmission packet to thepayload.

A processing device according to a second aspect of the presenttechnology is a processing device including: a processing unitconfigured to process a first transmission packet restored from dataarranged in a payload on the basis of information included in a headerof a divided packet input via a predetermined interface, in which thefirst transmission packet is a variable-length packet used in a firsttransmission method and is obtained from a broadcast signal, and thedivided packet is obtained by dividing the first transmission packetinto a packet length according to a second transmission packet that is afixed-length packet used in a second transmission method and arrangingthe first transmission packet in a payload, and adding a headerincluding information for restoring the first transmission packet to thepayload.

The processing device according to the second aspect of the presenttechnology may be an independent device or may be internal blocksconstituting one device. Furthermore, a data processing method accordingto the second aspect of the present technology is a data processingmethod corresponding to the above-described processing device accordingto the second aspect of the present technology.

In the processing device and data processing method according to thesecond aspect of the present technology, the first transmission packetrestored from data arranged in a payload is processed on the basis ofinformation included in a header of a divided packet input via apredetermined interface. Furthermore, the first transmission packet is avariable-length packet used in the first transmission method andobtained from the broadcast signal, and the divided packet is obtainedby dividing the first transmission packet into a packet length accordingto a second transmission packet that is a fixed-length packet used in asecond transmission method and arranging the first transmission packetin a payload, and adding a header including information for restoringthe first transmission packet to the payload.

A reception device according to a third aspect of the present technologyis a reception device including: a demodulation unit configured todemodulate a first transmission packet obtained from a broadcast signal;and a processing unit configured to process the first transmissionpacket demodulated by the demodulation unit, in which the demodulationunit and the processing unit are connected via a predeterminedinterface, the demodulation unit outputs a divided packet to theprocessing unit, the divided packet being obtained by dividing the firsttransmission packet that is a variable-length packet used in a firsttransmission method into a packet length according to a secondtransmission packet that is a fixed-length packet used in a secondtransmission method and arranging the first transmission packet in apayload, and adding a header including information for restoring thefirst transmission packet to the payload, and the processing unitprocesses the first transmission packet restored from data arranged inthe payload on the basis of information included in the header of thedivided packet input from the demodulation unit.

The reception device according to the third aspect of the presenttechnology may be an independent device or may be an internal blockconstituting one device. Furthermore, a data processing method accordingto the third aspect of the present technology is a data processingmethod corresponding to the above-described reception device accordingto the third aspect of the present technology.

In the reception device and the data processing method according to thethird aspect of the present technology, the demodulation unit fordemodulating the first transmission packet obtained from the broadcastsignal and the processing unit for processing the first transmissionpacket demodulated by the demodulation unit are connected via thepredetermined interface. Furthermore, the demodulation unit side outputsthe divided packet to the processing unit, the divided packet beingobtained by dividing the first transmission packet that is avariable-length packet used in the first transmission method into apacket length according to a second transmission packet that is afixed-length packet used in a second transmission method and arrangingthe first transmission packet in a payload, and adding a headerincluding information for restoring the first transmission packet to thepayload, and the processing unit side processes the first transmissionpacket restored from data arranged in the payload on the basis ofinformation included in the header of the divided packet input from thedemodulation unit.

Effects of the Invention

According to the first to third aspects of the present technology, it ispossible to more flexibly cope with change in transmission method.

Note that effects described here are not necessarily limited, and any ofeffects described in the present disclosure may be exhibited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a demodulationIC on a reception side and a system on chip (SoC).

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a protocol stack of an IPtransmission method.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating system architecture of an ALP packet.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a receptiondevice including a demodulation IC and a system on chip (SoC).

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of abroadcast system to which the present technology is applied.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of thereception device in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a TSpacket.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating examples of structures of ALP packets.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of output timing of an ALPpacket.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a dividedpacket according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a dividedpacket according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a dividedpacket according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a dividedpacket according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a dividedpacket according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a dividedpacket according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a dividedpacket according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of combination of way ofcutting the divided packet and header information according to the sixthembodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a dividedpacket according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a dividedpacket according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a dividedpacket according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a timing chart for describing transmission of a dividedpacket according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a dividedpacket according to a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of syntax ofAdaptation_field( ).

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for describing a flow of processing of ademodulation circuit and a processing circuit on the reception side.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a computer.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be describedwith reference to the drawings. Note that the description will be givenin the following order.

-   -   1. Overview of the Present Technology    -   2. System Configuration    -   3. Embodiments of the Present Technology    -   (1) First Embodiment: Basic Configuration    -   (2) Second Embodiment: Configuration for Specifying Head        Position of ALP Packet with Pointer and Packet Length    -   (3) Third Embodiment: Configuration Including PLP_ID in ALP        Packet    -   (4) Fourth Embodiment: Configuration Including Time Information        in ALP packet    -   (5) Fifth Embodiment: Configuration in which Zero Padding is        performed to Align Packet Boundaries    -   (6) Sixth Embodiment: Configuration to Reduce Divided Header    -   (7) Seventh Embodiment: Example of Combination of Header        Information of Divided Header and Division Form    -   (8) Eighth Embodiment: Configuration in a case where PLP_ID is        Transmitted in Format Other Than ALP    -   (9) Ninth Embodiment: Configuration Using Adaptation Field    -   4. Flow of Processing Executed on Reception Side    -   5. Modification    -   6. Configuration of Computer

1. OVERVIEW OF THE PRESENT TECHNOLOGY

At present, the MPEG2-TS method is widely used as a transmission methodfor digital broadcasting, but from now on, spread of IP transmissionmethods is expected. For example, ATSC 3.0, which is one of thenext-generation terrestrial broadcast standards adopts an IPtransmission method, and storing UDP/IP packets in ATSC link-layerprotocol (ALP) packets and transmitting the packets is defined.

Note that, in the following description, the MPEG2-TS method isdescribed as an example of existing transmission methods (existingmethods), and the IP transmission method adopted in ATSC 3.0 will bedescribed as an example of new transmission methods (new methods).

By the way, in a television receiver, a broadcast signal is demodulatedby demodulation IC, and packets obtained as a result of the demodulationare processed by a system on chip (SoC) at a subsequent stage. In a casewhere a broadcast signal compatible with the IP transmission method thatis a new method is received by the television receiver compatible withthe MPEG2-TS method that is an existing method, a configuration asillustrated in FIG. 1 is assumed, for example.

In other words, in FIG. 1, a demodulation circuit 901 is a demodulationIC compatible with ATSC 3.0, and is connected with a processing circuit902 configured as a system on chip (SoC) via a physical interface 903 bythe MPEG2-TS method. Here, the demodulation circuit 901 at a precedingstage is replaced with a demodulation circuit compatible with the newmethod. However, the processing circuit 902 at the subsequent stage ismade compatible with the new method by using hardware (HW) by theexisting method as it is and updating (rewriting) software (SW).

In this case, the physical interface 903 between the demodulationcircuit 901 and the processing circuit 902 is compatible with theMPEG2-TS method, whereas the format of data to be transmitted is an ALPpacket compatible with ATSC 3.0. A synchronization signal (SYNC), avalid signal (VALID), a clock signal (CLK), and data (DATA) aretransmitted by the ALP packet.

Here, FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a protocol stack of the IPtransmission method. As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the IP transmissionmethod, streaming delivery conforming to dynamic adaptive streaming overHTTP (MPEG-DASH) can be performed by using a common IP protocol inunidirectional broadcasting and bidirectional communication, andtransmitting a stream of content of a television program or the like inunits of DASH segments, for example.

In FIG. 2, a layer that is an upper layer of a physical layer ofbroadcast and is a lower layer of an UDP layer and an IP layer is a datalink layer. In this data link layer, an ALP packet compatible with alink layer protocol is used.

Furthermore, FIG. 3 illustrates system architecture of the ALP packet.As illustrated in FIG. 3, the ALP packet is generated by encapsulatingsignaling (link layer signaling), a TS packet used in the MPEG2-TSmethod, and the like, in addition to an IP packet (UDP/IP packet). Notethat, when encapsulating an IP packet, an IP header can be compressed.Furthermore, overhead can be reduced when encapsulating a TS packet.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a receptiondevice 90 including the demodulation circuit 901 and the processingcircuit 902 illustrated in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 4, the reception device 90 includes the demodulation circuit 901as a demodulation IC, and the processing circuit 902 as a system on chip(SoC). The demodulation circuit 901 includes a demodulation unit 911, anerror correction unit 912, and an I/F unit 913. The processing circuit902 includes a memory 921, a demux 922, a memory 923, and a SWprocessing unit 924.

Furthermore, in the reception device 90, the demodulation circuit 901and the processing circuit 902 are connected via the predeterminedphysical interface 903. Thereby, the ALP packet output from thedemodulation circuit 901 is input to the processing circuit 902 via thephysical interface 903.

Here, in the processing circuit 902, the ALP packet from thedemodulation circuit 901 is input, temporarily recorded in the memory921, and processed by the demux 922 at the subsequent stage. Since thepacket length of the ALP packet is different from the packet length ofthe TS packet, there is a possibility that the memory 921 is broken.

In other words, in the processing circuit 902, the processing by thedemux 922 for data recorded in the memory 921 at the preceding stage ishardware processing (HW processing), whereas processing by the SWprocessing unit 924 for data recorded in the memory 923 at thesubsequent stage is software processing (SW processing).

Then, for the part of the hardware processing, of the processingperformed by the processing circuit 902, hardware compatible with theMPEG2-TS method as an existing method is used as it is, whereas for thepart of the software processing, the software (SW) of the SW processingunit 924 is updated to be compatible with the IP transmission method(ATSC 3.0) as a new method. Therefore, the memory 921 and the demux 922for performing the hardware processing are compatible with the MPEG2-TSmethod as an existing method, not with the IP transmission method (ATSC3.0) as a new method.

The memory 921 is assumed to be written with the TS packet with a fixedlength (188 bytes) corresponding to the MPEG2-TS method, but when theALP packet is input from the demodulation circuit 901 to the processingcircuit 902 and written in the memory 921, the memory 921 may be brokenbecause the ALP packet is a variable-length packet and has a differentpacket length from the TS packet. Furthermore, since the demux 922 atthe subsequent stage is assumed to process the TS packet, the demux 922may not be able to process the ALP packet when the ALP packet is input.

To avoid the above situation, a technique of dividing the ALP packetinput from the demodulation circuit 901 to the processing circuit 902 toadjust the packet length of the ALP packet to the packet length of theTS packet with 188 bytes is conceivable. However, in the case where theALP packet is simply divided into 188 bytes on the demodulation circuit901 side, and the divided packet is input to the processing circuit 902side via the physical interface 903, the processing circuit 902 side maynot be able to cope with the format of the divided packet.

Therefore, a proposal for more flexibly coping with the change intransmission method when the transmission method is switched from theMPEG2-TS method as an existing method to the IP transmission method as anew method (in particular, in a transition period from the existingmethod to the new method) is demanded.

Therefore, in the present technology, a divided packet is output to theprocessing circuit, the divided packet being obtained by dividing theALP packet that is a variable-length packet used in the IP transmissionmethod as a new method into the packet length according to the TS packetthat is a fixed-length packet used in the MPEG2-TS method as an existingmethod and arranging the ALP packet in a payload on the demodulationcircuit side as a demodulation IC, and adding a header includinginformation (restoration information) for restoring the ALP packet tothe payload.

Thereby, the divided packet from the demodulation circuit is input tothe processing circuit side as a system on chip (SoC). This dividedpacket has the packet length according to the TS packet used in theMPEG2-TS method as an existing method. Therefore, even if the hardwareprocessing is compatible with the MPEG2-TS method as an existing method(the hardware processing is not compatible with ATSC 3.0), theprocessing can be reliably performed. Meanwhile, since the softwareprocessing can be made compatible with the IP transmission method (ATSC3.0) as a new method by the update of the software (SW), the ALP packetrestored from data arranged in the payload on the basis of therestoration information included in the header of the divided packet canbe processed.

By doing so, when the IP transmission method is introduced as a newmethod in the case where the MPEG2-TS method has been introduced as anexisting method, it is possible to more flexibly cope with the change intransmission system.

2. SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

(Configuration Example of Broadcast System)

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of abroadcast system to which the present technology is applied. Note thatthe term “system” means a group of a plurality of devices that islogically gathered.

In FIG. 5, a broadcast system 1 includes a transmission device 10 and areception device 20. In this broadcast system 1, data transmissionconforming to a predetermined broadcast method (for example, ATSC 3.0)is performed.

The transmission device 10 applies processing such as modulation anderror correction to data of content (for example, a television program,or the like) input thereto, and transmits a broadcast signal obtained asa result of the processing via a transmission antenna of a transmissionstation,

The broadcast signal from the transmission device 10 goes through atransmission line 30 and is received by the reception device 20 via areception antenna installed at each home or the like of an end user. Forexample, the reception device 20 is configured as a fixed receiver suchas a television receiver or a set top box (STB).

The reception device 20 applies processing such as demodulation anderror correction to the broadcast signal received via the transmissionline 30, and output video and audio data of content (for example, atelevision program, or the like) obtained as a result of the processing.

Note that, in the broadcast system 1, the transmission line 30 may besatellite broadcasting using a broadcasting satellite (BS) or acommunications satellite (CS), wire broadcasting (common antennatelevision (CATV)) using a cable, or the like, for example, in additionto the terrestrial broadcasting.

(Configuration Example of Reception Device)

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of thereception device 20 in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 6, the reception device 20 includes a demodulation circuit 201and a processing circuit 202. In the reception device 20, thedemodulation circuit 201 and the processing circuit 202 are connectedvia a predetermined physical interface 203.

The demodulation circuit 201 is configured as a demodulation device suchas a demodulation IC. The demodulation circuit 201 demodulates the ALPpacket obtained from the broadcast signal received via an antenna (notillustrated). Furthermore, the demodulation circuit 201 generates thedivided packet from the ALP packet, and outputs the divided packet tothe processing circuit 202 via the physical interface 203.

The demodulation circuit 201 includes a demodulation unit 211, an errorcorrection unit 212, and an I/F unit 213.

The demodulation unit 211 performs demodulation processing for thebroadcast signal received via the antenna, and supplies data obtained asa result of the processing to the error correction unit 212.

The error correction unit 212 performs error correction decodingprocessing for the data supplied from the demodulation unit 211, andsupplies data obtained as a result of the processing to the I/F unit213.

The I/F unit 213 performs predetermined data processing for the datasupplied from the error correction unit 212, and outputs data obtainedas a result of the processing to the processing circuit 202 via thephysical interface 203.

Here, the I/F unit 213 generates the divided packet on the basis of theALP packet obtained from the data from the error correction unit 212,and outputs the divided packet to the processing circuit 202 via thephysical interface 203.

The divided packet is obtained by dividing the ALP packet(variable-length packet used in the IP transmission method as anexisting method) into the packet length according to the TS packet(fixed-length packet used in the MPEG2-TS method as a new method) andarranging the ALP packet in a payload, and adding a header includingrestoration information to the payload.

Note that, as the restoration information of the header, a pointer (headpointer) indicating the position of a head of the ALP packet,information corresponding to a TS header of the TS packet, and the likecan be included. Details will be described below.

The processing circuit 202 is configured as a system on chip (SoC). Theprocessing circuit 202 restores the ALP packet from the divided packetinput from the demodulation circuit 201 via the physical interface 203.The processing circuit 202 processes the restored ALP packet (ALP packetdemodulated by the demodulation circuit 201).

The processing circuit 202 includes a memory 221, a demux 222, a memory223, and a SW processing unit 224.

Note that, in the processing circuit 202, the processing by the demux222 for the data recorded in the memory 221 at the preceding stage ishardware processing (HW processing), and the hardware compatible withthe MPEG2-TS method as an existing method is used as it is. Meanwhile,the processing by the SW processing unit 224 for the data recorded inthe memory 223 at the subsequent stage is software processing (SWprocessing), and the software (SW) of the SW processing unit 224 isupdated to be compatible with the IP transmission method (ATSC 3.0) as anew method.

The divided packet input from the demodulation circuit 201 is written inthe memory 221. The demux 222 processes the divided packet written inthe memory 221, and writes data after the processing in the memory 223at the subsequent stage. Here, since the divided packet is obtained bydividing the ALP packet into the packet length according to the TSpacket, the processing can be reliably performed even if the hardwareprocessing is one compatible with the MPEG2-TS method as an existingmethod (one not compatible with ATSC 3.0).

The SW processing unit 224 processes the data written in the memory 223.Here, since (the software processing of) the SW processing unit 224 canbe made compatible with the IP transmission method (ATSC 3.0) as a newmethod by the update of the software (SW), the ALP packet restored fromdata arranged in the payload on the basis of the restoration informationincluded in the header of the divided packet can be processed.

3. EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT TECHNOLOGY

Here, first, technical content as the premise will be described withreference to FIGS. 7 to 9, and then embodiments of the presenttechnology will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13.

(Structure of TS Packet)

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of the TSpacket.

The TS packet includes a 4-byte header and a 184-byte payload.

In the 4-byte header, 8-bit Sync, 1-bit Transport Error Indicator, 1-bitPayload Unit Start Indicator, 1-bit Transport Scrambling Control, 13-bitPID, 2-bit Application Field Control, 2-bit Continuity Counter, and4-bit Application Field is arranged.

Sync is a synchronization byte and is, for example, ‘0x47’.

Transport Error Indicator is a flag indicating the presence or absenceof a bit error in the target TS packet. For example, in a case whereTransport Error Indicator is ‘1’, the indicator indicates that at leastone uncorrectable error is present in the TS packet.

In a case where Payload Unit Start Indicator is ‘1’, the indicatorindicates that a start point of the payload of the target TS packet is astart point or a pointer of a PES packet.

Transport Scrambling Control is a region used for identifying ascrambling mode of the payload of the target TS packet. A scramblecontrol value is predetermined.

PID is a region used for identifying a data type of the payload of thetarget TS packet.

Application Field Control is a flag indicating the presence or absenceof Application Field or a payload in the target TS packet.

Continuity Counter is a continuity index used for confirming whether ornot a packet is missing, and is incremented by one each time a packetwith the same PID arrives.

Application Field is a region of an application.

(Structure of ALP Packet)

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating examples of structures of the ALPpacket.

(A) Normal

A in FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a normal ALPpacket. In A in FIG. 8, the normal ALP packet includes an ALP header(ALP Packet Header) and a payload (Payload).

3-bit Type is set to a head of the ALP header. Information regarding thetype of data arranged in the payload of the ALP packet is set to thisType.

In an ALP header, 1-bit Payload Configuration (PC) is arranged next toType. In a case where ‘0’ is set as PC, a single packet mode is setaccording to 1-bit Header Mode (HM) arranged next to PC, and 11-bitLength and ALP extension header (Additional header) is arranged in theALP header.

In the case of the normal ALP packet, ‘0’ is set as HM, and in the ALPheader, 11-bit Length is arranged following HM. Furthermore, in thenormal ALP packet, the payload is arranged following the ALP header.

(B) PTP

B in FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an ALP packet(hereinafter also referred to as an ALP packet with PTP) in a case wherePrecision Time Protocol (PTP) is added to the ALP extension header.

In the ALP packet with PTP, 3-bit Type, 1-bit PC, and 1-bit HM arearranged in the ALP header, and ‘1’ is set as HM. In a case where “1” isset as HM, an ALP extension header (Additional header) is arrangedfollowing 11-bit Length.

This ALP extension header (Additional header) includes 5-bit Length_MSB,1-bit reserved (RSV), 1-bit Sub-stream Identifier Flag (SIF), and 1-bitHeader Extension Flag (HEF).

Length_MSB indicates a most significant bit (MSB) of a total payloadlength of the ALP packet in units of bytes, and is concatenated with aleast significant bit (LSB) indicated by 11-bit Length of the ALP headerto obtain the total payload length.

SIF is a flag indicating whether or not an optional header for substreamis to be arranged. In a case where ‘0’ is set as SIF, the setting meansthat the optional header is not arranged.

HEF is a flag indicating whether or not optional header extension isperformed. In a case where ‘1’ is set as HEF, header expansion isperformed. In the ALP header of the ALP packet with PTP in B in FIG. 8,8-byte header extension is performed for the ALP extension header.

In this header extension, 8-bit Extension type, 8-bit Extension_length,2-bit Time_info_flag, 32-bit Time_sec, 10-bit Time_msec, 10-bitTime_usec, and 10-bit Time_nsec are arranged. In this example, since PTP(time information) specified by Time_sec, Time_msec, Time_usec, andTime_nsec is arranged as private user data (PUD) according toTime_info_flag, values of a type and a length corresponding to thisarrangement are set to Extension_type and Extension_length,respectively.

Here, PTP is time information defined in IEEE 1588-2008. PTP includes asecond field and a nanosecond field, and can cope with nanosecondprecision. PTP is included in a preamble of a physical layer frame,indicates a time of a head of the physical layer frame, and is used astime information of clock recovery performed on the reception side, forexample.

For example, in a case of Time_info_flag=‘01’, the time information inseconds (Time_sec) and the time information in milliseconds (Time_msec)are arranged. Furthermore, for example, in a case ofTime_info_flag=‘10’, the time information in microseconds (Time_usec) isarranged in addition to the time information in seconds and milliseconds(Time_sec and Time_msec). Furthermore, for example, in a case ofTime_info_flag=‘11’, time information in nanoseconds (Time_nsec) isarranged in addition to the time information in seconds, milliseconds,and microseconds (Time_sec, Time_msec, and Time_usec).

Note that 2-bit L1B_time_info_flag defined in L1B signaling (L1-BasicSignaling) corresponds to Time_info_flag in ATSC 3.0, for example.Furthermore, 32-bit L1D_time_sec, 10-bit L1D_time_msec, 10-bitL1D_time_usec, and 10-bit L1D_time_nsec defined in L1D signaling(L1-Detail Signaling) are respectively correspond to Time_sec,Time_msec, Time_usec, and Time_nsec in ATSC 3.0, for example.

Details of L1B signaling and L1D signaling are disclosed in Non-PatentDocument 1 below.

-   Non-Patent Document 1: ATSC Standard: Physical Layer Protocol    (A/322)

(C) PLP_ID

C in FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an ALP packet in acase where PLP_ID is added to an ALP extension header (hereinafter, theALP packet is also referred to as an ALP packet with PLP_ID).

In the ALP packet with PLP_ID, 3-bit Type, 1-bit PC, and 1-bit HM arearranged in the ALP header, and ‘1’ is set as HM. In a case where “1” isset as HM, an ALP extension header (Additional header) is arrangedfollowing 11-bit Length.

This ALP extension header includes 5-bit Length_MSB, 1 bit-RSV, 1bit-SIF, and 1-bit HEF.

In the ALP header of the ALP packet with PLP_ID in C in FIG. 8, “1” isset as HEF, and 3-byte header extension is performed for the ALPextension header.

8-bit Extension_type, 8-bit Extension_length, 6-bit PLP_ID, and 2-bitdummy data (dummy) are arranged in the header extension. In thisexample, since 6-bit PLP_ID is arranged as private user data (PUD),values of a type and a length corresponding to this arrangement are setin Extension_type and Extension_length, respectively.

Note that 6-bit L1D_plp_id defined in L1D signaling (L1-DetailSignaling) corresponds to this PLP_ID in ATSC 3.0, for example. PLP_IDis not necessary in the case of a Single PLP (S-PLP) mode but PLP_ID isrequired to identify PLP in the case of a Multiple PLP (M-PLP) mode.Details of the L1D signaling are disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1above. Furthermore, details of the structure of the ALP packet aredisclosed in Non-Patent Document 2 below.

-   Non-Patent Document 2: ATSC Standard: Link-Layer Protocol (A/330)

(Output Timing of ALP Packet)

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of output timing of an ALPpacket processed by the reception device 20.

FIG. 9 illustrates output timing of the ALP packet output from thedemodulation circuit 201 to the processing circuit 202 via the physicalinterface 203 in the reception device 20. Note that, in FIG. 9, thehorizontal direction represents a time (Time) and the vertical directionrepresents data, which is obtained by processing a frame and a packet inthe demodulation circuit 201 as the demodulation IC, for each hierarchyin a stepwise manner from input to output.

In FIG. 9, data of a lowest level hierarchy is the physical layer frame.For example, the physical layer frame defined in ATSC 3.0 includes abootstrap, a preamble, and a payload.

The preamble can include, for example, physical layer signaling such asL1B signaling (L1-Basic Signaling) and L1D signaling (L1-DetailSignaling). In this example, PTP as time information is arranged in thepreamble. That is, PTP will be transmitted at predetermined timing.

In the demodulation circuit 201 of the reception device 20, the physicallayer frame is processed by the demodulation unit 211 and the errorcorrection unit 212, and one or a plurality of baseband (BB) packets(hereinafter also referred to as “BBPs”) are extracted from the payloadof the physical layer frame.

Furthermore, in the demodulation circuit 201, the BB packet is processedby the I/F unit 213, and one or a plurality of ALP packets is extracted.At this time, the I/F unit 213 causes (private user data (PUD)) of theALP packet to include PTP as time information and PLP informationincluding PLP_ID.

Note that, here, PLP_ID (for example, PLP_ID=1) is added only to thehead ALP packet among the ALP packets continuously obtained from thesame PLP (for example, PLP with PLP_ID=1) on the demodulation circuit201 side. Meanwhile, the processing circuit 202 side can performprocessing, regarding a packet group from an ALP packet to which certainPLP_ID (for example, PLP_ID=1) is added to an ALP packet one ALP packetbefore an ALP packet to which another PLP_ID (for example, PLP_ID=2) isadded as ALP packets belonging to the same PLP (for example, PLP withPLP_ID=1).

As described above, since PLP_ID and PTP are added to the ALP packetoutput from the demodulation circuit 201 to the processing circuit 202via the physical interface 203, the processing circuit 202 can identifywhich PLP the ALP packet input from the demodulation circuit 201 via thephysical interface 203 belongs at the time of M-PLP on the basis ofPLP_ID added to the ALP packet. Furthermore, the processing circuit 202can perform clock recovery, for example, on the basis of the PTP addedto the ALP packet.

Hereinafter, the content of the present technology will be described inorder according to nine embodiments on the premise of the technicalcontent.

(1) First Embodiment

First, a structure of the divided packet of a first embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 10.

In the first embodiment, a divided packet obtained by dividing avariable-length ALP packet into a packet length (188 bytes) of afixed-length TS packet and arranging the ALP packet in a payload, andadding a header to the payload, is output from a demodulation circuit201 to a processing circuit 202 via a physical interface 203.

FIG. 10 illustrates packets processed by the demodulation circuit 201. Ain FIG. 10 illustrates the ALP packet, and B in FIG. 10 illustrates thedivided packet. Furthermore, two patterns of headers: pattern 1 andpattern 2 are illustrated as a divided header added to the dividedpacket.

FIG. 10 illustrates two continuous ALP packets (AP1 and AP2), of aplurality of ALP packets sequentially processed in time series in thedemodulation circuit 201. A part of the head ALP packet AP1 is cut outand the divided header is added to generate a divided packet DP1. Here,since the packet length of the TS packet is 188 bytes, the ALP packet(divided ALP) of 185 bytes is cut out to set the packet length of thedivided packet DP1 to be 188 bytes, in other words, to be arranged in apayload with 185 bytes excluding a 3-byte divided header (Header), inaccordance with the packet length of the TS packet.

The divided packet DP1 thus obtained includes the 3-byte divided headerand the 185-byte payload, and the packet length is 188 bytes. In otherwords, here, divided packets in units of 188 bytes are sequentiallygenerated by sequentially processing the ALP packet. Specifically, thedivided packet DP1 and a divided packet DP2 are generated by cutting outa part of the ALP packet AP1, and a divided packet DP3 is generated bycutting out a part of the ALP packet AP1 and the ALP packet AP2.

Here, the divided header of the divided packet can have a structureillustrated in the pattern 1 or the pattern 2.

In other words, 8-bit Sync, 1-bit Transport Error Indicator, 1-bit ALPPacket Start Indicator, and 13-bit PID are arranged in the dividedheader of the pattern 1.

Sync is a synchronization byte and is, for example, ‘0x47’.

Transport Error Indicator is an error indicator, and has a fixed valueof, for example, ‘1′b0’. Furthermore, Transport Error Indicator may be aflag indicating the presence or absence of a bit error in the dividedpacket. For example, in a case where Transport Error Indicator is ‘1’,the indicator indicates that at least one uncorrectable error is presentin the divided packet.

ALP Packet Start Indicator is a flag (ALP packet head presence/absenceflag) indicating the presence or absence of a pointer (hereinafter alsoreferred to as head pointer) indicating the position of the head of theALP packet arranged in the payload of the divided packet. For example,in a case where ALP Packet Start Indicator indicates ‘0’, the indicatorindicates that the head pointer is not present.

That is, the divided header of the pattern 1 does not include the headpointer because the ALP Packet Start Indicator is ‘0’. In the example inFIG. 10, the payloads of the divided packets DP1 and DP2 do not includethe position of the head of the ALP packet AP1. Therefore, ALP PacketStart Indicator of ‘0’ is arranged and the head pointer is not arrangedin the divided headers.

An arbitrary fixed PID is assigned to PID.

Furthermore, the divided header of the pattern 2 indicates that ALPPacket Start Indicator is ‘1’ and the head pointer is present, and isdifferent in that 8-byte Start Pointer is added, as compared with thedivided header of the pattern 1.

Start Pointer is a head pointer that indicates the position the head ofthe ALP packet arranged in the payload of the divided packet. In theexample in FIG. 10, the payload of the divided packet DP3 includes theposition of the head of the ALP packet AP2. Therefore, ALP Packet StartIndicator of ‘1’ is arranged and the head pointer indicating theposition of the head of the ALP packet AP2 is arranged in the dividedheader.

As described above, the divided header of divided packet DP3 is thepattern 2, whereas the divided headers of the divided packets DP1 andDP2 are the pattern 1 because the position of the head of the ALP packetis not included in the payloads of the divided packets DP1 and DP2. Notethat the divided header of the pattern 2 is smaller in size of thepayload in the divided packet by the amount of the arrangement of 8-byteStart Pointer than the divided header of the pattern 1.

In the first embodiment, the demodulation circuit 201 side processes theALP packet to generate the divided packet, and outputs the dividedpacket to the processing circuit 202 via the physical interface 203, andthe processing circuit 202 side processes the divided packet from thedemodulation circuit 201 to generate (restore) the ALP packet.

At that time, the ALP packet (divided ALP) of 185 bytes cut out from thevariable-length ALP packet is arranged in the payload of the dividedpacket. Therefore, information (restoration information) for restoringthe ALP packet is included in the divided header, so that the processingcircuit 202 side can restore the ALP packet from the divided packet.

As the restoration information, information corresponding to the TSheader of the TS packet such as Transport Error Indicator can beincluded, for example. Furthermore, as the information for restoring theALP packet, the head pointer (Start Pointer) according to ALP packetStart Indicator can be included.

In other words, the ALP packet arranged in the payload of the dividedpacket has a variable length, and when the ALP packet is cut out by 185bytes at a time in accordance with the fixed-length TS packet, theposition of the head of the ALP packet cannot be specified in thedivided packet. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the head pointer(Start Pointer) is included in the divided header of the divided packet,whereby the processing circuit 202 can specify the position of the headof the ALP packet in the divided packet and can restore the ALP packet.

Note that the above-described pattern 1 and pattern 2 are examples ofthe structure of the divided header, and other pieces of information canbe included. For example, information included in the TS header of theTS packet can be arranged instead of the next 1 bit (‘1′b0’) of ALPPacket Start Indicator or Transport Error Indicator.

The first embodiment has been described above.

(2) Second Embodiment

Next, a structure of a divided packet of a second embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 11.

By the way, in the above-described first embodiment, the demodulationcircuit 201 side includes the head pointer (Start Pointer) in thedivided header when generating the divided packet, so that theprocessing circuit 202 side can specify the position of the head of theALP packet to restore the ALP packet in a divided packet. However, in acase where two or more positions of heads of ALP packets are present inthe divided packet, all the positions of the heads cannot be specifiedonly with a head pointer.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, a position of a first head, ofpositions of heads of ALP packets arranged in a payload of a dividedpacket, is specified with a position of a head indicated by a headpointer, and a position of a second or subsequent head is specified withthe position of the head indicated by the head pointer and a packetlength of the ALP packet.

FIG. 11 illustrates a packet processed by a processing circuit 202. FIG.11 illustrates two continuous divided packets (DP1 and DP2), of aplurality of divided packets sequentially processed in time series bythe processing circuit 202.

A divided header of the head divided packet DP1, of the two continuousdivided packets, includes Start Pointer=‘A’ as a head pointer, and thehead pointer (Start Pointer=‘A’) indicates the position of a head of anALP packet arranged in a payload, in other words, the position of a headof an ALP packet AP2.

In other words, in the payload of the head divided packet DP1, a part ofan ALP packet AP1 from a middle to the end of the ALP packet AP1 and apart of the ALP packet AP2 from the head to the middle of the ALP packetAP2 are arranged. The head pointer (Start Pointer=‘A’) included in thedivided header indicates the number of bytes from the position of thehead of the payload to the position of the head of the ALP packet AP2.

Meanwhile, the second divided packet DP2 following the head dividedpacket DP1, of the two continuous divided packets, includes StartPointer=‘B’ as a head pointer, and the head pointer (Start Pointer=‘B’)indicates the position of a head of an ALP packet arranged in a payload,in other words, the position of a head of an ALP packet AP3.

In other words, in the payload of the second divided packet DP2, a partof the ALP packet AP2 from a middle to the end of the ALP packet AP2 and(from the head to the end of) the ALP packet AP3 are arranged. The headpointer (Start Pointer=‘B’) included in the divided header indicates thenumber of bytes from the position of the head of the payload to theposition of the head of the ALP packet AP3.

Here, an ALP packet AP4 is arranged following the ALP packet AP3 in thepayload of the second divided packet DP2. Although the position of thehead of the ALP packet AP3 can be specified with the head pointer (StartPointer=‘B’) included in the divided header, the position of a head ofthe ALP packet AP4 following the ALP packet AP3 cannot be specified.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, a position past a packet length ofthe ALP packet AP3 from the position of the head of the ALP packet AP3specified with the head pointer (Start Pointer=‘B’) is regarded as theposition of the head of the ALP packet AP4, using the packet length ofthe ALP packet AP3, to specify the position of the head of the ALPpacket AP4.

In the second embodiment, the demodulation circuit 201 side processesthe ALP packet to generate the divided packet, and outputs the dividedpacket to the processing circuit 202 via the physical interface 203, sothat the processing circuit 202 side processes the divided packet fromthe demodulation circuit 201 to generate (restore) the ALP packet.

At that time, an ALP packet (divided ALP) of 185 bytes cut out from avariable-length ALP packet is arranged in the payload of the dividedpacket. Therefore, information for restoring the ALP packet is includedin the divided header, so that the processing circuit 202 side canrestore the ALP packet from the divided packet.

As the information for restoring the ALP packet, the head pointer (StartPointer) is included in the divided header of the divided packet, sothat the processing circuit 202 can specify the position of the head ofthe ALP packet in the divided packet and can restore the ALP packet.

Furthermore, in the case where two or more positions of the heads of theALP packets are present in the payload of the divided packet, theposition of the first head is specified with the position indicated bythe head pointer, and the position of the second or subsequent head isspecified using the head pointer and the packet length of the target ALPpacket of the head pointer.

Note that the packet length of the ALP packet is included in the headerof the target ALP packet, for example. However, the packet length of theALP packet may be acquired by another technique.

Furthermore, FIG. 11 illustrates the case in which the positions of theheads of the ALP packet AP3 and the ALP packet AP4 are included in thepayload of the divided packet DP2. However, in a case where the positionof the head of the ALP packet is further included, the position of thehead of the ALP packet can be similarly specified using the head pointerand the packet length of the target ALP packet of the head pointer.

For example, in a case where the position of a head of an ALP packet AP5is included in the payload of the divided packet DP2 in addition to thepositions of the heads of the ALP packet AP3 and the ALP packet AP4, theposition past the packet lengths of the ALP packet AP3 and the ALPpacket AP4 from the position of the head of the ALP packet AP3 specifiedwith the head pointer (Start Pointer=‘B’) is regarded as the position ofthe head of the ALP packet AP5, thereby specifying the position of thehead of the ALP packet AP5.

The second embodiment has been described above.

(3) Third Embodiment

Next, a structure of a divided packet of a third embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 12.

In the third embodiment, an ALP packet with PLP_ID illustrated in C inFIG. 8 is included as an ALP packet arranged in a payload of a dividedpacket.

FIG. 12 illustrates a packet processed by the processing circuit 202.FIG. 12 illustrates a divided packet DP1, of divided packetssequentially processed by a processing circuit 202.

8-bit Sync, 1-bit Transport Error Indicator, 1-bit ALP Packet StartIndicator, 13-bit PID, and 8-byte Start Pointer are included in adivided header of the divided packet DP1, which has been describedabove.

Furthermore, in the payload of the divided packet DP1, a part of an ALPpacket AP1 from a middle to the end of the ALP packet AP1, the whole ofan ALP packet AP2, the whole of an ALP packet AP3, and a part of an ALPpacket AP4 from the head to the middle of the ALP packet AP4 arearranged.

Here, in the ALP packet AP2, ‘1’ is set as HM in an ALP header (ALPPacket Header), and an ALP extension header (Additional header) isarranged. In this ALP extension header, ‘1’ is set as HEF, and headerextension is performed.

Then, 6-bit PLP_ID is arranged in this header extension. This PLP_IDcorresponds to 6-bit L1D pip id included in L1D signaling (L1-DetailSignaling) defined in ATSC 3.0, for example, which has been describedabove.

In other words, in ATSC 3.0, a transmission device 10 can cope with upto 64 PLPs for each predetermined frequency band. In a reception device20, a demodulation circuit 201 side adds PLP_ID to an ALP packet, sothat the processing circuit 202 side can specify which PLP the ALPpacket input via a physical interface 203 belongs at the time of M-PLPon the basis of PLP_ID obtained from the ALP packet.

The third embodiment has been described above.

(4) Fourth Embodiment

Next, a structure of a divided packet of a fourth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 13.

In the fourth embodiment, an ALP packet with PTP illustrated in B inFIG. 8 is included as an ALP packet arranged in a payload of a dividedpacket.

FIG. 13 illustrates a packet processed by the processing circuit 202.FIG. 13 illustrates a divided packet DP1, of divided packetssequentially processed by a processing circuit 202.

8-bit Sync, 1-bit Transport Error Indicator, 1-bit ALP Packet StartIndicator, 13-bit PID, and 8-byte Start Pointer are included in adivided header of the divided packet DP1, which has been describedabove.

Furthermore, in the payload of the divided packet DP1, a part of an ALPpacket AP1 from a middle to the end of the ALP packet AP1 and the wholeof an ALP packet AP2 are arranged, and in a remaining region, zeropadding is performed to set the divided packet DP1 to have a fixedlength (188 bytes).

Here, in the ALP packet AP2, ‘1’ is set as HM in an ALP header (ALPPacket Header), and an ALP extension header (Additional header) isarranged. In this ALP extension header, ‘1’ is set as HEF, and headerextension is performed.

Then, in this header extension, 32-bit Time_sec, 10-bit Time_msec,10-bit Time_usec, and 10-bit Time_nsec are arranged according to 2-bitTime_info_flag.

For example, in a case of Time_info_flag=‘01’, time information inseconds (Time_sec) and time information in milliseconds (Time_msec) arearranged. Furthermore, for example, in a case of Time_info_flag=‘10’,time information in microseconds (Time_usec) is arranged in addition tothe time information in seconds and milliseconds (Time_sec andTime_msec). Furthermore, for example, in a case of Time_info_flag=‘11’,time information in nanoseconds (Time_nsec) is arranged in addition tothe time information in seconds, milliseconds, and microseconds(Time_sec, Time_msec, and Time_usec).

As described above, the time obtained from these pieces of timeinformation can be made to have precision in microseconds, nanoseconds,or the like. Therefore, for example, even in a physical layer frame inwhich a frame length (frame time) does not become an integer millisecondunit, an error (jitter) from the time indicated by the time informationcan be suppressed.

Furthermore, in a case where the ALP packet including the timeinformation is arranged in the payload, zero passing is performed forthe remaining region after the ALP packet is arranged, thereby causingthe divided packet to have the fixed length (188 bytes). Note that,here, zero padding has been described as an example. However, forexample, another technique may be used such as inserting an arbitraryfixed sequence to the remaining region.

As a result, in the processing circuit 202, when waiting for an ALPpacket next to the ALP packet including the time information whenprocessing the divided packet from a demodulation circuit 201, a jitteroccurs by the amount of the waiting. In the case of arranging the ALPpacket including the time information in the payload of the dividedpacket, the demodulation circuit 201 outputs the divided packet to theprocessing circuit 202 after padding all zero (“All 0” in FIG. 13),whereby the processing circuit 202 can suppress the jitter of the timeinformation.

The fourth embodiment has been described above.

(5) Fifth Embodiment

Next, a structure of a divided packet of a fifth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, when thevariable-length ALP packet is divided according to the packet length(188 bytes) of the fixed-length TS packet and the divided packet isarranged in the payload, the divided packet is generated regardless ofboundaries of the ALP packets.

In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 14, a part of the head ALP packetAP1 is cut out and the divided header is added, so that the dividedpacket DP1 and the divided packet DP2 are generated in order.Furthermore, a part of the ALP packet AP1 and a part of the ALP packetAP2 are cut out and the divided header is added, so that the dividedpacket DP3 is generated.

At this time, since the head of the ALP packet AP2 is in the middle ofthe payload of the divided packet DP3, the boundary of the ALP packetdoes not match the boundary of the divided packet.

In the fifth embodiment, in a case of sequentially cutting out an ALPpacket and sequentially arranging the ALP packet in a payload of adivided packet, when a boundary of the ALP packet arrives, zero paddingis performed for a remaining region according to a fixed length (188bytes) of the divided packet to match a head of the ALP packet and ahead of the payload of the divided packet.

FIG. 15 illustrates a packet processed by a demodulation circuit 201. Ain FIG. 15 illustrates an ALP packet, and B in FIG. 15 illustrates adivided packet.

FIG. 15 illustrates two continuous ALP packets (AP1 and AP2), of aplurality of ALP packets sequentially processed in time series in thedemodulation circuit 201. A part of the head ALP packet AP1 is cut outand the divided header is added to generate a divided packet DP1. Here,since the packet length of the TS packet is 188 bytes, the ALP packet of185 bytes is cut out to set the packet length of the divided packet DP1to be 188 bytes, in other words, to be arranged in a payload with 185bytes excluding a 3-byte divided header (Header), in accordance with thepacket length of the TS packet.

The divided packet DP1 thus obtained includes the 3-byte divided headerand the 185-byte payload, and the packet length is 188 bytes. In otherwords, here, divided packets in units of 188 bytes are sequentiallygenerated by sequentially processing the ALP packet. Specifically, thedivided packet DP1 is generated by cutting out a part of the ALP packetAP1.

Furthermore, a divided packet DP2 is generated by cutting out a part ofthe ALP packet AP1, but data of the ALP packet AP1 ends in the middle ofa payload of a divided packet DP2, and the middle part is the boundaryof the ALP packet AP1 and the ALP packet AP2.

At this time, zero padding is performed for the remaining regionaccording to the fixed length (188 bytes) of the divided packet DP2. Inother words, the divided packet DP2 has the fixed length (188 bytes) byarranging the data of the part of the ALP packet AP1 from the middle tothe end of the ALP packet AP1 in the payload and performing the zeropadding for the remaining region.

Therefore, data of a part of the ALP packet AP2 from the head to themiddle of the ALP packet AP2 is arranged in a payload of a dividedpacket DP3 next to the divided packet DP2, and the boundary of the ALPpacket AP1 and the ALP packet AP2 matches a boundary of the dividedpacket DP2 and the divided packet DP3.

Similarly, the divided packets DP3 and DP4 in units of 188 bytes aresequentially generated by cutting out a part of the ALP packet AP2, andfor example, in a case where data of the ALP packet AP2 ends in themiddle of the payload of the divided packet DP4, zero padding isperformed to adjust the packet length to be 188 bytes.

Note that, in the above description, a case where zero padding isperformed for the remaining region according to the fixed length of thedivided packet has been described. However, the zero padding may beperformed for a region in the middle of (the payload of) the dividedpacket. For example, in the divided packet, it is only required toarrange the data of the ALP packet in the payload after performing thezero padding, following the divided header, to adjust the packet lengthto be 188 bytes.

Furthermore, in the above description, the zero padding has beendescribed as an example. However, for example, another technique may beused as long as the packet length can be adjusted to the fixed lengthsuch as inserting an arbitrary fixed sequence to the remaining regionaccording to the fixed length of the divided packet.

As described above, in a case where data of a certain ALP packet endswhen an ALP packet is cut out and is arranged in a payload of a dividedpacket, zero padding is performed for the remaining region according tothe fixed length of the divided packet, rather than immediately cuttingout the next ALP packet, to arrange head data of the next ALP packet inthe head of the payload of the next divided packet.

As a result, the boundary of the ALP packet always matches the boundaryof the divided packet, and it is clear that the position of the head ofthe ALP packet becomes the position of the head of the payload of thedivided packet. Therefore, for example, the head pointer does not needto be included in the divided header as restoration information, and theamount of information of the restoration information included in thedivided header can be reduced.

The fifth embodiment has been described above.

(6) Sixth Embodiment

Next, a structure of a divided packet of a sixth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 16.

In the sixth embodiment, in a case of cutting out an ALP packet andarranging a payload of a divided packet, zero padding is performed for aremaining region according to a fixed length (188 bytes) of the dividedpacket, similarly to the above-described fifth embodiment, but a dividedpacket to which a divided header is added, of divided packets, is setonly to a divided packet including a head of the ALP packet in thepayload.

FIG. 16 illustrates a packet processed by the demodulation circuit 201.A in FIG. 16 illustrates an ALP packet, and B in FIG. 16 illustrates adivided packet.

FIG. 16 illustrates two continuous ALP packets (AP1 and AP2), of aplurality of ALP packets sequentially processed in time series in ademodulation circuit 201. A part of the head ALP packet AP1 is cut outand a divided header is added to generate a divided packet DP1. In otherwords, the divided packet DP1 thus obtained includes a 3-byte dividedheader and a 185-byte payload, and the packet length is 188 bytes.

Furthermore, a divided packet DP2 is generated by cutting out a part ofthe ALP packet AP1, but a divided header is not added to the dividedpacket DP2 and the divided packet DP2 includes only a payload includingdata cut out from the ALP packet AP1. In other words, the divided packetDP2 thus obtained includes only a 188-byte payload, and the packetlength of the divided packet DP2 is 188 bytes.

Furthermore, a divided packet DP3 is generated by cutting out a part ofthe ALP packet AP1, but a divided header is not added to the dividedpacket DP3 and the divided packet DP3 includes only a payload includingdata cut out from the ALP packet AP1, and zero padding is performed fora 188-byte remaining region. In other words, the divided packet DP3 thusobtained includes an X-byte payload and (188−X)-byte zero padding (All0), and the packet length of the divided packet DP3 is 188 bytes.

Similarly, divided packets DP4 and DP5 in units of 188 bytes aresequentially generated by cutting out a part of the ALP packet AP2, andbut for example, a divided header is added only to the divided packetDP4 including a head of the ALP packet AP2, and the divided packet DP5not including the head of the ALP packet AP2 includes only a payload.Note that, at this time, in a case where data of the ALP packet AP2 endsin the middle of the payload of the divided packet DP5, zero padding isperformed to adjust the packet length of the divided packet DP5 to be188 bytes.

As described above, in a case of cutting out an ALP packet and arranginga payload of a divided packet, zero padding is performed for a remainingregion according to a fixed length of the divided packet, therebymatching a boundary of the ALP packet with a boundary of the dividedpacket, as well as causing a divided packet to which a divided header isadded, of divided packets, to be only a divided packet including a headof the ALP packet in the payload.

Thereby, a divided packet to which no divided header is added is presentamong divided packets. However, data of the ALP packet can be includedin the payload by the amount of reduction of the divided header.Therefore, data transmission efficiency can be improved.

The sixth embodiment has been described above.

(7) Seventh Embodiment

Next, a structure of a divided packet of a seventh embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19.

In the seventh embodiment, correspondence between header information(restoration information) included in a divided header to be added to adivided packet, and a division mode of the divided packet.

(Table of Correspondence)

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating correspondence between headerinformation of a divided header and a division mode of a divided packet.

Here, as the division mode of the divided packet, there are three modesof the above-described, first, second, and third modes.

In other words, the first division mode is to cut out an ALP packet,arrange the ALP packet in a payload, and add a divided header togenerate a divided packet (corresponding to “simple division”). Forexample, among the above-described embodiments, the first embodimentillustrated in FIG. 10 corresponds to the first division mode.

Furthermore, the second division mode is to perform zero padding for aremaining region according to a fixed length of a divided packet whencutting out an ALP packet and arranging the ALP packet in a payload ofthe divided packet (corresponding to “division+zero padding”). Forexample, among the above-described embodiments, the fifth embodimentillustrated in FIG. 15 corresponds to the second division mode.

Furthermore, the third division mode is to perform zero padding for aremaining region according to a fixed length of a divided packet,similarly to the second division mode, but a divided packet to which adivided header is added, of divided packets, is set only to a dividedpacket including a head of an ALP packet in a payload (“division+zeropadding+header reduction”). For example, among the above-describedembodiments, the sixth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16 corresponds tothe third division mode.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, the header information of the divided headercan include, for example, synchronization byte, error indicator, PTPpresence/absence flag, ALP packet head presence/absence flag, PLP_IDswitching flag, PTP, head pointer, PLP_ID switching head pointer, andpacket ID.

The synchronization byte (Sync) is used on a processing circuit 202 sidefor detecting the head of the divided packet. For example, 8 bits areassigned to the synchronization byte, and ‘0x47’ is set.

Furthermore, since the synchronization byte is compatible with all ofthe first, second, and third division modes, the synchronization bytecan be included in the divided header of the divided packet formedaccording to these division modes.

The error indicator (Error Indicator) is a flag indicating the presenceor absence of an error of the ALP packet arranged in the payload of thedivided packet. For example, 1 bit is assigned to the error indicator,and ‘1′b1’ is set in a case where an error is present in some of the ALPpackets in the payload, and ‘1′b0’ is set in a case where no error ispresent.

Furthermore, since the error indicator is compatible with all of thefirst, second, and third division modes, the error indicator can beincluded in the divided header of the divided packet formed according tothese division modes.

The PTP presence/absence flag (PTP Indicator) is a flag indicating thepresence/absence of PTP (time information) arranged in the dividedheader of the divided packet. For example, 1 bit is assigned to the PTPpresence/absence flag, and ‘1′b1’ is set in a case where PTP is presentin the divided header, and ‘1′b0’ is set in a case where PTP is notpresent.

Furthermore, since the PTP presence/absence flag is compatible with allof the first, second, and third division modes, the PTP presence/absenceflag can be included in the divided header of the divided packet formedaccording to these division modes.

Note that, in a case where ‘1′b1’ is set as the PTP presence/absenceflag, PTP is arranged in the divided header. At this time, in a casewhere the time information is arranged in the divided header of thedivided packet, similarly to the case described in the fourthembodiment, zero padding is performed for the remaining region to causethe divided packet to have a fixed length (188 bytes). Then, such zeropadding is performed so that a boundary of the ALP packet matches with aboundary of the divided packet, which substantially similar to the factthat only PTP is arranged in the payload.

The ALP packet head presence/absence flag (ALP Packet Start Indicator)is a flag indicating the presence or absence of a head pointerindicating the position of the head of the ALP packet arranged in thepayload of the divided packet. For example, 1 bit is assigned to the ALPpacket head presence/absence flag, and ‘1′b1’ is set in a case where thehead of the ALP packet is present in the payload and the head pointerindicating the position of the head is present, and ‘1′b0’ is set in acase where the head of the ALP packet is not present and the headpointer is not present.

Furthermore, since the ALP packet head presence/absence flag iscompatible with all of the first, second, and third division modes, theALP packet head presence/absence flag can be included in the dividedheader of the divided packet formed according to these division modes.

Note that, in the case of the second division mode, the zero padding isperformed. Thus when ‘1′b1’ is set as the ALP packet headpresence/absence flag, the head of the payload of the divided packet towhich the divided header is added represents the head of the ALP packet.Furthermore, in the case of the third division mode, the zero padding isperformed and reduction of the divided header is further performed. Thusthe head of (the payload) of the divided packet to which the dividedheader is added represents the head of the ALP packet.

The PLP_ID switching flag (PLP Indicator) is a flag indicating thepresence/absence of switching of PLP_ID in the payload of the dividedpacket. For example, 1 bit is assigned to the PLP_ID switching flag, and‘1′b1’ is set in a case where the PLP_ID is switched in the payload, and‘1′b0’ is set in a case where PLP_ID is not switched.

Furthermore, since the PLP_ID switching flag is compatible with thefirst division mode, the PLP_ID switching flag can be included in thedivided header of the divided packet formed according to the firstdivision mode. Note that, in the first division mode, when including thePLP_ID switching flag in the divided header, the PLP_ID switching flagcan be used in a case where PLP_ID changes once in the 188-byte dividedpacket, but the PLP_ID switching flag cannot be used in a case wherePLP_ID changes twice.

Note that, in the cases of the second and third division modes, the zeropadding is performed, and the head of the ALP packet always matches thehead of the payload of the divided packet and the switching of PLP_IDmatches the head of the payload of the divided packet. Therefore, thePLP_ID switching flag is not necessary.

PTP is 8-bit time information. PTP is used in combination with the PTPpresence/absence flag, and is arranged in the divided header in a casewhere the PTP presence/absence flag indicates that PTP is present.

Furthermore, since PTP is compatible with all of the first, second, andthird division modes, PTP can be included in the divided header of thedivided packet formed according to these division modes. However, in acase where PTP is arranged in the divided packet in these divisionmodes, transmission of the ALP packet with PTP is not necessary.

The head pointer (Start Pointer) is a pointer that indicates theposition the head of the ALP packet arranged in the payload of thedivided packet, and 8 bits are assigned. The head pointer is used incombination with the ALP packet head presence/absence flag, and isarranged in the divided header in a case where the ALP packet headpresence/absence flag indicates that the head pointer is present.

Furthermore, the head pointer is compatible with the first division modeonly, and can be included in the divided header of the divided packetformed according to the first division mode. Note that, in the cases ofthe second and third modes, the zero padding is performed, and the headof the ALP packet always matches the head of the divided packet.Therefore, the head pointer is unnecessary. Note that, in a case wherethe zero padding is performed for a region in the middle of the dividedpacket such as immediately after the divided header, for example, in thecases of the second and third division modes, the position of the headof the ALP packet following the region may be indicated by the headpointer.

The PLP_ID switching head pointer (PLP_ID Pointer) is a pointer thatindicates the position of the head of the ALP packet in a case wherePLP_ID is switched, and 8 bits are assigned. The PLP_ID switching toppointer is used in combination with the PLP_ID switching flag, and isarranged in the divided header in a case where the PLP_ID switching flagindicates that the PLP_ID switching top pointer is present.

Furthermore, the PLP_ID switching head pointer is compatible with thefirst division mode only, and can be included in the divided header ofthe divided packet formed according to the first division mode. Notethat, as described above, in the first division mode, when including thePLP_ID switching flag in the divided header, the PLP_ID switching flagcannot be used in a case where PLP_ID changes twice in the 188-bytedivided packet.

Note that, in the cases of the second and third division modes, the zeropadding is performed, and the head of the ALP packet always matches thehead of the payload of the divided packet and the switching of PLP_IDmatches the head of the payload of the divided packet. Therefore, thePLP_ID switching head pointer is not necessary.

The packet ID is an ID for identifying a divided packet. As this packetID, a fixed ID or PLP_ID of an ALP packet can be assigned.

In the case where the fixed ID is assigned as the packet ID, 13 bits aresecured for the bit length, and a value of PID not used in MPEG2-TS isfixedly assigned. Furthermore, since the packet ID (fixed ID) iscompatible with all of the first, second, and third division modes, thepacket ID (fixed ID) can be included in the divided header of thedivided packet formed according to these division modes.

Furthermore, in the case where PLP_ID is assigned as the packet ID, 6bits are secured as the bit length, and PLP_ID of the ALP packet in thepayload is assigned. Furthermore, since the packet ID (PLP_ID) iscompatible with all of the first, second, and third division modes, thepacket ID (PLP_ID) can be included in the divided header of the dividedpacket formed according to these division modes.

Note that, in the first division mode, in the case where PLP_ID isassigned as the packet ID, the packet ID (PLP_ID) can be used in a casewhere PLP_ID changes once in the 188-byte divided packet, but the packetID (PLP_ID) cannot be used in a case where PLP_ID changes twice. Inother words, here, if two types of PLP_IDs are necessary, PLP_IDs beforeand after switching of PLP_ID are used, for example. However, three ormore types of PLP_IDs cannot be coped.

Furthermore, in the case where PLP_ID is assigned as the packet ID inthe second and third division modes, transmission of PLP_ID with the ALPpacket is unnecessary.

(Example of Header Information of Divided Header)

Next, specific examples of the correspondence between the headerinformation of the divided header and the division mode of the dividedpacket will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19.

FIG. 18 illustrates a first example of the header information of thedivided header.

In the first example, since the first division mode is adopted as thedivision mode of the divided packet, a part of a head ALP packet AP1 iscut out and a divided header is added, so that a divided packet DP1 anda divided packet DP2 are generated in order (A and B in FIG. 18).Furthermore, a part of the ALP packet AP1 and a part of an ALP packetAP2 are cut out and a divided header is added, so that a divided packetDP3 is generated (A and B in FIG. 18).

Here, the divided header of the divided packet can have the structureillustrated in C in FIG. 18. In other words, in C in FIG. 18, 8-bit syncbyte, 1-bit error indicator, 1-bit ALP packet head presence/absenceflag, 1-bit PTP presence/absence flag, and 13-bit packet ID (fixed ID)are arranged in the divided header.

In the divided header, in a case where ‘1′b1’ is set as the ALP packethead presence/absence flag, an 8-bit head pointer is arranged. Forexample, since the head of the ALP packet AP2 is included in the payloadof the divided packet DP3, of the divided packets DP1 to DP3 illustratedin B in FIG. 18, ‘1′b1’ is set as the ALP packet head presence/absenceflag, and the head pointer indicating the position of the head of theALP packet AP2 is arranged in the divided header.

Furthermore, in the divided header, in a case where ‘1′b1’ is set as thePTP presence/absence flag, 8-bit PTP is arranged. Thereby, for example,PTP as the time information can be arranged in the divided header of anyof the divided packets DP1 to DP3 illustrated in B in FIG. 18. Notethat, in the case where PTP is arranged in the divided header, zeropadding is performed for the remaining region to cause the dividedpacket to have the fixed length (188 bytes). Furthermore, in the casewhere PTP is arranged in the divided header, transmission of PTP withthe ALP packet is unnecessary.

FIG. 19 illustrates a second example of the header information of thedivided header.

In the second example, since the second division mode is adopted as thedivision mode of the divided packet, a part of the head ALP packet AP1is cut out and a divided header is added, so that a divided packet DP1and a divided packet DP2 are generated in order, and in the dividedpacket DP2, zero padding is performed for the remaining region accordingto the fixed length (A and B in FIG. 19). Furthermore, a part of the ALPpacket AP2 is cut out and a divided header is added, so that the dividedpacket DP3 is generated (A and B in FIG. 19).

Here, the divided header of the divided packet can have the structureillustrated in C in FIG. 19. In other words, in C in FIG. 19, 8-bit syncbyte, 1-bit error indicator, 1-bit ALP packet head presence/absenceflag, 1-bit ‘1′b0’, and 13-bit packet ID (PLP_ID) are arranged in thedivided header. Note that PLP_ID is expressed using arbitrary 6 bits ofthe 13-bit packet ID. At this time, the 13-bit packet ID includes the6-bit PLP_ID and 7-bit reserved.

In the divided header, the ALP packet head presence/absence flag isarranged, but in the second division mode, the head of the ALP packetalways matches the head of the divided packet and thus the head pointerdoes not need to be arranged.

For example, since the head of the payload is the head of the ALP packetin the divided packets DP1 and DP3, of the divided packets DP1 to DP3illustrated in B in FIG. 19, ‘1′b1’ is set as the ALP packet headpresence/absence flag, but not head pointer is arranged in the dividedheader. Note that ‘1′b0’ is set as the ALP packet head presence/absenceflag in the divided header of the divided packet DP2.

Furthermore, in the divided header illustrated in C in FIG. 19, sincePLP_ID of the ALP packet in the payload is arranged as the packet ID,transmission of PLP_ID as the ALP packet is unnecessary in the casewhere PLP_ID is transmitted as the ALP packet.

Note that the header information illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 isexamples, and as the header information, information of one or more ofthe synchronization byte, error indicator, PTP presence/absence flag,ALP packet head presence/absence flag, PLP_ID switching flag, PTP, headpointer, PLP_ID switching head pointer, and packet ID illustrated inFIG. 17 can be included, for example.

Furthermore, the header information of the divided header illustrated inFIG. 17 is also an example, and various types of information such aseffective information for restoring the ALP packet from the dividedpacket can be included, for example.

The seventh embodiment has been described above.

(8) Eighth Embodiment

Next, a structure of a divided packet of an eighth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21.

In the eighth embodiment, arrangement of PLP_ID in a head of an ALPpacket is determined in advance to enable transmission of PLP_ID withoutusing the divided header, instead of transmitting PLP_ID using theformat of the ALP packet, as illustrated in the third embodiment.

FIG. 20 illustrates a packet processed by a demodulation circuit 201.

In FIG. 20, a part of a head ALP packet AP1 is cut out and a dividedheader is added, so that a divided packet DP1 and a divided packet DP2are generated in order (A and B in FIG. 20). Furthermore, a part of theALP packet AP1 and a part of an ALP packet AP2 are cut out and a dividedheader is added, so that a divided packet DP3 is generated (A and B inFIG. 20).

Here, since arrangement of PLP_ID in a predetermined byte (for example,1 byte) of the head of the ALP packet is determined in advance, PLP_IDis arranged in the head of the ALP packet. Therefore, focusing on apayload of the divided packet DP3, PLP_ID is arranged in the head of theALP packet AP2 arranged following the ALP packet AP1. In other words,PLP_ID is associated in units of ALP packets, and PLP_ID is added to aboundary of the ALP packet.

FIG. 21 is a timing chart for describing transmission of a dividedpacket according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 21 illustrates a timing chart of a clock signal (CLK), asynchronization signal (SYNC), a valid signal (VALID), and data (DATA)of a divided packet transmitted between the demodulation circuit 201 anda processing circuit 202 via a physical interface 203 in a receptiondevice 20.

Here, focusing on the timing chart of the data (DATA), the boundary ofthe ALP packet AP1 and the ALP packet AP2 is present in the payload ofthe 188-byte divided packet DP3, and PLP_ID (for example, ‘2′d0’) of thenext ALP packet is arranged in 1 bit of the head of the ALP packet AP2.

By determining insertion of PLP_ID in the first byte of the head of theALP packet in advance in this way, the processing circuit 202 canacquire PLP_ID, recognizing that the first byte of the head of the ALPpacket is an identifier (PLP_ID), and can process a stream for each PLP,without inserting PLP_ID in the divided header.

The eighth embodiment has been described above.

(9) Ninth Embodiment

Finally, a structure of a divided packet of a ninth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23.

In the ninth embodiment, an adaptation field (adaptation_field) isarranged in the divided packet, and information such as PTP or PLP_ID astime information is caused to be included in the adaptation field.

FIG. 22 illustrates a packet processed by a demodulation circuit 201.

Here, a part of a divided packet AP1 is cut out and a divided header isadded, so that a divided packet DP1 and a divided packet DP2 aregenerated in order (A and B in FIG. 22). Furthermore, a part of thedivided packet AP1 and a part of a divided packet AP2 are cut out and adivided header is added, so that a divided packet DP3 is generated (Aand B in FIG. 22).

Here, the divided header of the divided packet can have the structureillustrated in C in FIG. 22. In other words, in C in FIG. 22, 8-bit syncbyte, 1-bit error indicator, 1-bit ALP packet head presence/absenceflag, 1-bit adaptation field control, and 13-bit packet ID (fixed ID)are arranged in the divided header.

The adaptation field control is a region used for indicating aconfiguration of the adaptation field. For example, 1 bit is allocatedto the adaptation field control, and ‘1′b1’ is set in a case where thereis an adaptation field, and ‘1′b0’ is set in a case where there is noadaptation field.

Note that the adaptation field is defined as a var-type field, detailsof the adaptation field will be described below with reference to FIG.23. Furthermore, FIG. 22 illustrates a case where a division mode of thedivided packet is a first division mode. However, the structure of thedivided packet in the ninth embodiment is also applicable to dividedpackets adopting second or third division mode.

(Example of Syntax)

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of syntax of the adaptationfield (Adaptation_field) illustrated in FIG. 22.

8-bit adaptation field length represents the length of the adaptationfield.

In a case where the value of adaptation_field_length is larger than 0,the discontinuity_indicator, random_access_indicator,ALP_packet_priority_indicator, PTP_flag, and PLP_ID_flag are arranged.

1-bit discontinuity_indicator indicates that the ALP packet isdiscontinuous. 1-bit random_access_indicator indicates a random accesspoint.

1-bit ALP_packet_priority_indicator indicates that a target ALP packethas higher priority than other ALP packets.

1-bit PTP_flag indicates that the adaptation field includes PTP. 1-bitPLP_ID_flag indicates that the adaptation field includes PLP_ID. Notethat 3 bits following PLP_ID_flag are reserved, which means futurereservation.

In a case of PTP_flag=1, L1B_time_info_flag, L1D_time_sec,L1D_time_msec, L1D_time_usec, and L1D_time_nsec are arranged as timeinformation (PTP).

2-bit L1B_time_info_flag represents the accuracy of PTP (timeinformation). For example, ‘01’ means milliseconds, ‘10’ meansmicroseconds, and ‘11’ means nanoseconds.

32-bit L1D_time_sec represents time information in seconds. 10-bitL1D_time_msec represents time information in milliseconds. 10-bitL1D_time_usec represents time information in microseconds. 10-bitL1D_time_nsec represents time information in nanoseconds.

For example, in a case where L1B_time_info_flag=‘01’, the timeinformation in seconds (L1D_time_sec) and the time information inmilliseconds (L1D_time_msec) are arranged. Furthermore, for example, ina case where L1B_time_info_flag=‘10’, the time information inmicroseconds (L1D_time_usec) is arranged in addition to the timeinformation in seconds and milliseconds (L1D_time_sec andL1D_time_msec). Furthermore, for example, in a case whereL1B_time_info_flag=‘11’, time information in nanoseconds (L1D_time_nsec)is arranged in addition to the time information in seconds,milliseconds, and microseconds (L1D_time_sec, L1D_time_msec, andL1D_time_usec).

In a case of PTP_ID_flag=‘1’, PLP_ID is arranged.

6-bit PLP_ID is an ID for identifying a physical layer pipe (PLP). Notethat 2 bits following PLP_ID are reserved.

Note that the adaptation field is also used in the MPEG2-TS method, andby using this adaptation field, PLP_ID and the time information (PTP)can be transmitted with a structure similar to the structure by theMPEG2-TS method, instead of being transmitted using the ALP packet, asdescribed in the third and fourth embodiments.

Furthermore, FIG. 23 illustrates the case in which the time information(PTP) and PLP_ID are arranged in the adaptation field. However, only oneof the pieces of information may be arranged, and moreover, informationother than the time information (PTP) and PLP_ID may be arranged.

The ninth embodiment has been described above.

4. FLOW OF PROCESSING EXECUTED ON RECEPTION SIDE

A flow of processing executed by the demodulation circuit 201 and theprocessing circuit 202 in the reception device 20 will be described withreference to the flowchart in FIG. 24.

Note that, in FIG. 24, processing in steps S11 to S14 is executed by thedemodulation circuit 201, and processing in steps S31 to S33 is executedby the processing circuit 202.

In step S11, the demodulation unit 211 performs the demodulationprocessing for the broadcast signal received via the antenna.

In step S12, the error correction unit 212 performs the error correctiondecoding processing for the data obtained in the processing in step S11.

In step S13, the I/F unit 213 processes the ALP packet on the basis ofthe data obtained in the processing in step S12 to generate the dividedpacket.

This divided packet has the packet length (188 bytes) according to theTS packet, and for example, the divided header includes the head pointeras the restoration information. Furthermore, for example, PTP as thetime information and PLP_ID can be added to a specific ALP packet as theprivate user data (PUD). In other words, the divided packet generatedhere is the divided packet corresponding to any of the first to ninthembodiments described above.

In step S14, the I/F unit 213 outputs the divided packets obtained inthe processing of step S13 to the processing circuit 202 via thephysical interface 203.

In the processing circuit 202, the divided packet from (the I/F unit 213of) the demodulation circuit 201 is input through the physical interface203 and is stored in the memory 221. The divided packet recorded in thememory 221 is processed by hardware by the demux 222 (S31).

Furthermore, by processing the divided packet, the ALP packet isrestored from the data arranged in the payload on the basis of therestoration information (for example, the head pointer) included in thedivided header (S32). Then, the ALP packet recorded in the memory 223 isprocessing by software by the SW processing unit 224 (S33).

Note that, in the processing circuit 202, in a case where PTP is addedto the ALP packet, clock recovery can be performed using PTP as the timeinformation. Furthermore, in a case where PLP_ID is added to the ALPpacket, the processing circuit 202 can identify to which PLP the ALPpacket belongs at the time of M-PLP.

The flow of the processing performed by the demodulation circuit 201 andthe processing circuit 202 has been described above.

5. MODIFICATION

(Example of Configuration of Device)

In the above description, the demodulation circuit 201 as a demodulationIC and the processing circuit 202 as a system on chip (SoC) have beendescribed as being incorporated in the reception device 20. However, thedemodulation circuit 201 and the processing circuit 202 may berespectively configured as independent devices. In other words, thedemodulation circuit 201 can also be said to be a demodulation unitincorporated in the reception device 20 or a demodulation device thatindependently performs processing alone. Furthermore, the processingcircuit 202 can also be said to be a processing unit incorporated in thereception device 20 or a processing device that independently performsprocessing alone.

(Example of Reception Device)

In the above description, the reception device 20 has been described asa fixed receiver such as a television receiver, a set top box (STB), orthe like. However, for example, the reception device 20 may be arecorder, a game machine, a network storage, or the like, or a mobilereceiver such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a tablet computer.Furthermore, for example, the reception device 20 may be a wearablecomputer such as a head mounted display (HMD) or an on-vehicle devicemounted on a vehicle such as an on-vehicle television.

(Example of Other Broadcast Method)

In the above description, ATSC (in particular, ATSC 3.0), which is asystem adopted in the United States and the like, has been described asa standard for digital broadcasting. However, the present technology maybe applied to integrated services digital broadcasting (ISDB) adopted inJapan and the like, digital video broadcasting (DVB) adopted in thecountries in Europe and the like, and the like, for example.Furthermore, in the above description, the case in which the existingmethod is the MPEG2-transport stream (TS) and the new method is the IPtransmission method has been described. However, a combination of othermethods may be applied as the existing method and the new method.

Furthermore, as the standard for digital broadcasting, the presenttechnology can be applied to standards such as satellite broadcastingusing a broadcasting satellite (BS) or communication satellite (CS),wire broadcasting such as a cable TV (CATV), and the like, in additionto the terrestrial broadcasting.

(Application to Method Other than Broadcast Method)

Furthermore, the present technology can be applied to a predeterminedstandard (a standard other than the digital broadcasting standard) orthe like, which is defined assuming use of a transmission line otherthan the broadcast network, in other words, a communication line(communication network) or the like such as the Internet or a telephonenetwork, as the transmission line, for example. In such a case, thecommunication line such as the Internet or a telephone network is usedas the transmission line 30 of the broadcast system 1 (FIG. 5), and thetransmission device 10 can be a server provided on the Internet. Then,the communication server and the reception device 20 performbidirectional communication via the transmission line 30 (communicationline).

(Other Examples of Packet and Signaling)

Furthermore, the names of the above-described packet, frame, signaling(control information) and the like are merely examples, and other namesmay be used in some cases. However, the difference between these namesis a formal difference, and the substantial content of the targetpacket, frame, signaling, and the like is not different.

For example, the ALP packet is an example of a transmission packet, andthe transmission packet includes, for example, a type length value (TLV)packet, a generic stream encapsulation (GSE) packet, which arevariable-length packets, or the like. Note that the frame and the packetmay be used by the same meaning.

(Another Example of Time Information)

In the above description, the case of using time information defined inprecision time protocol (PTP) as the time information has beendescribed. However, an embodiment is not limited to the case, andarbitrary time information such as time information defined in networktime protocol (NTP) or third generation partnership project (3GPP), timeinformation included in global positioning system (GPS) information, ortime information in an independently determined format can be used, forexample.

Furthermore, in the above description, the time information has beendescribed to indicate the time of the head of the physical layer frame.However, an embodiment is not limited to the case, and the timeinformation may indicate any time. For example, the time information canindicate time (absolute time) at a predetermined position in the streamof the physical layer frame. That is, the time at the predeterminedposition in this stream is time of predetermined timing while the bit ofthe predetermined position is being processed by the transmission device10. Furthermore, in a case where a structure provided with a preamblethe physical layer frame is adopted, the time information may beincluded in the preamble.

6. CONFIGURATION OF COMPUTER

The series of processing described above can be executed by hardware orsoftware. In the case of executing the series of processing by software,a program that configures the software is installed in a computer. FIG.25 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of hardware of thecomputer that executes the above-described series of processing by aprogram.

In a computer 1000, a central processing unit (CPU) 1001, a read onlymemory (ROM) 1002, and a random access memory (RAM) 1003 are mutuallyconnected by a bus 1004. Moreover, an input/output interface 1005 isconnected to the bus 1004. An input unit 1006, an output unit 1007, arecording unit 1008, a communication unit 1009, and a drive 1010 areconnected to the input/output interface 1005.

The input unit 1006 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, and thelike. The output unit 1007 includes a display, a speaker, and the like.The recording unit 1008 includes a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory, andthe like. The communication unit 1009 includes a network interface andthe like. The drive 1010 drives a removable recording medium 1011 suchas a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or asemiconductor memory.

In the computer 1000 configured as described above, the CPU 1001 loadsthe program recorded in the ROM 1002 or the recording unit 1008 to theRAM 1003 via the input/output interface 1005 and the bus 1004 andexecutes the program, so that the above-described series of processingis performed.

The program to be executed by the computer 1000 (CPU 1001) can berecorded on the removable recording medium 1011 as a package medium, forexample, and can be provided. Furthermore, the program can be providedvia a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local areanetwork, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting.

In the computer 1000, the program can be installed to the recording unit1008 via the input/output interface 1005 by attaching the removablerecording medium 1011 to the drive 1010. Furthermore, the program can bereceived by the communication unit 1009 via a wired or wirelesstransmission medium and installed in the recording unit 1008. Other thanthe above method, the program can be installed in the ROM 1002 or therecording unit 1008 in advance.

Here, in the present specification, the processing performed by thecomputer in accordance with the program does not necessarily have to beperformed in chronological order in accordance with the order describedas the flowchart. In other words, the processing performed by thecomputer according to the program also includes processing executed inparallel or individually (for example, parallel processing or processingby an object). Furthermore, the program may be processed by one computer(processor) or distributed in and processed by a plurality of computers.

Note that embodiments of the present technology are not limited to theabove-described embodiments, and various modifications can be madewithout departing from the gist of the present technology. For example,it goes without saying that each of the above-described first to ninthembodiments is established alone as an embodiment, and a plurality ofthe embodiments may be combined.

Furthermore, the present technology can have the followingconfigurations.

(1)

A demodulation device including:

-   -   a demodulation unit configured to demodulate a first        transmission packet obtained from a broadcast signal; and    -   an output unit configured to output a divided packet via a        predetermined interface, the divided packet being obtained by        dividing the first transmission packet that is a variable-length        packet used in a first transmission method into a packet length        according to a second transmission packet that is a fixed-length        packet used in a second transmission method and arranging the        first transmission packet in a payload, and adding a header        including information for restoring the first transmission        packet to the payload.

(2)

The demodulation device according to (1), in which

-   -   the output unit sequentially divides the first transmission        packet and sequentially arranges the first transmission packet        in the payload of the divided packet.

(3)

The demodulation device according to (1), in which

-   -   the output unit sequentially divides the first transmission        packet and sequentially arranges the first transmission packet        in the payload of the divided packet such that a head of the        first transmission packet matches a head of the payload of the        divided packet.

(4)

The demodulation device according to (3), in which,

-   -   when a boundary of the first transmission packet arranged in the        payload of the divided packet arrives, the output unit inserts        zero padding or an arbitrary fixed sequence to a remaining        region or a middle region according to the fixed length of the        divided packet.

(5)

The demodulation device according to (3) or (4), in which

-   -   the output unit adds the header of the divided packet only to        the payload of the divided packet, the payload including the        head of the first transmission packet, of the divided packets.

(6)

The demodulation device according to any one of (1) to (5), in which

-   -   the header of the divided packet includes information of one or        more of    -   a synchronization byte for detecting the head of the divided        packet,    -   an error indicator indicating presence or absence of an error of        the first transmission packet arranged in the payload of the        divided packet,    -   time information indicating a specific position of a physical        layer frame including the first transmission packet,    -   a first pointer indicating a position of the head of the first        transmission packet arranged in the payload of the divided        packet,    -   a second pointer indicating the position of the head of the        first transmission packet of when PLP_ID for identifying        physical layer pipe (PLP) is switched, and    -   a packet ID for identifying the divided packet.

(7)

The demodulation device according to (6), in which

-   -   a position of a first head, of the positions of the heads of the        first transmission packets arranged in the payload of the        divided packet, is specified with the position of the head        indicated by the pointer, and a position of a second or        subsequent head is specified with the position of the head        indicated by the pointer and the packet length of the first        transmission packet.

(8)

The demodulation device according to (6) or (7), in which

-   -   a fixed ID or the PLP_ID of the first transmission packet        arranged in the payload of the divided packet is assigned to the        packet ID.

(9)

The demodulation device according to any one of (6) to (8), in which

-   -   the time information, the first pointer, and the second pointer        are arranged according to a flag indicating presence or absence        of these pieces of information.

(10)

The demodulation device according to any one of (1) to (9), in which

-   -   the divided packet includes an adaptation field, and    -   the adaptation field includes at least one of time information        indicating a specific position of a physical layer frame        including the first transmission packet or PLP_ID for        identifying PLP.

(11)

The demodulation device according to any one of (1) to (10), in which

-   -   the first transmission packet is transmitted by a plurality of        PLPs, and    -   a specific first transmission packet, of the first transmission        packets obtained for the respective PLPs, includes PLP_ID for        identifying PLP to which the first transmission packet belongs.

(12)

The demodulation device according to any one of (1) to (11), in which

-   -   a specific first transmission packet, of the first transmission        packets, includes time information indicating a specific        position of a physical layer frame including the first        transmission packet.

(13)

The demodulation device according to (12), in which,

-   -   in the divided packet, in a case where the first transmission        packet including the time information is arranged in the payload        of the divided packet, zero padding or an arbitrary fixed        sequence is inserted.

(14)

The demodulation device according to any one of (1) to (5), in which

-   -   PLP_ID for identifying PLP is added to a head of the first        transmission packet arranged in the payload of the divided        packet.

(15)

The demodulation device according to any one of (1) to (14), in which

-   -   the first transmission method is an internet protocol (IP)        transmission method,    -   the first transmission packet is an ATSC link-layer protocol        (ALP) packet defined by Advanced Television Systems Committee        (ATSC) 3.0,    -   the second transmission method is an MPEG2-transport stream (TS)        method, and    -   the second transmission packet is a TS packet.

(16)

The demodulation device according to (15), in which

-   -   the packet length of the second transmission packet is 188        bytes,    -   the first transmission packet is divided to obtain the divided        packet in units of 188 bytes, and    -   the header of the divided packet includes information        corresponding to a TS header of the TS packet.

(17)

A data processing method by a demodulation device, the data processingmethod including steps of:

-   -   by the demodulation device,    -   demodulating a first transmission packet obtained from a        broadcast signal; and    -   outputting a divided packet via a predetermined interface, the        divided packet being obtained by dividing the first transmission        packet that is a variable-length packet used in a first        transmission method into a packet length according to a second        transmission packet that is a fixed-length packet used in a        second transmission method and arranging the first transmission        packet in a payload, and adding a header including information        for restoring the first transmission packet to the payload.

(18)

A processing device including:

-   -   a processing unit configured to process a first transmission        packet restored from data arranged in a payload on the basis of        information included in a header of a divided packet input via a        predetermined interface, in which    -   the first transmission packet is a variable-length packet used        in a first transmission method and is obtained from a broadcast        signal, and    -   the divided packet is obtained by dividing the first        transmission packet into a packet length according to a second        transmission packet that is a fixed-length packet used in a        second transmission method and arranging the first transmission        packet in a payload, and adding a header including information        for restoring the first transmission packet to the payload.

(19)

The processing device according to (18), in which

-   -   the header of the divided packet includes information of one or        more of    -   a synchronization byte for detecting the head of the divided        packet,    -   an error indicator indicating presence or absence of an error of        the first transmission packet arranged in the payload of the        divided packet,    -   time information indicating a specific position of a physical        layer frame including the first transmission packet,    -   a first pointer indicating a position of the head of the first        transmission packet arranged in the payload of the payload,    -   a second pointer indicating the position of the head of the        first transmission packet of when PLP_ID for identifying PLP is        switched, and    -   a packet ID for identifying the divided packet.

(20)

The processing device according to (19), in which

-   -   a position of a first head, of the positions of the heads of the        first transmission packets arranged in the payload of the        divided packet, is specified with the position of the head        indicated by the pointer, and a position of a second or        subsequent head is specified with the position of the head        indicated by the pointer and the packet length of the first        transmission packet.

(21)

The processing device according to (19) or (20), in which

-   -   a fixed ID or the PLP_ID of the first transmission packet        arranged in the payload of the divided packet is assigned to the        packet ID.

(22)

The processing device according to any one of (19) to (21), in which

-   -   the time information, the first pointer, and the second pointer        are arranged according to a flag indicating presence or absence        of these pieces of information.

(23)

The processing device according to any one of (18) to (22), in which

-   -   the divided packet includes an adaptation field, and    -   the adaptation field includes at least one of time information        indicating a specific position of a physical layer frame        including the first transmission packet or PLP_ID for        identifying PLP.

(24)

The processing device according to any one of (18) to (23), in which

-   -   the first transmission packet is transmitted by a plurality of        PLPs, and    -   a specific first transmission packet, of the first transmission        packets obtained for the respective PLPs, includes PLP_ID for        identifying PLP to which the first transmission packet belongs.

(25)

The processing device according to any one of (18) to (24), in which

-   -   a specific first transmission packet, of the first transmission        packets, includes time information indicating a specific        position of a physical layer frame including the first        transmission packet.

(26)

The processing device according to (25), in which,

-   -   in the divided packet, in a case where the first transmission        packet including the time information is arranged in the payload        of the divided packet, zero padding or an arbitrary fixed        sequence is inserted.

(27)

The processing device according to (18), in which

-   -   PLP_ID for identifying PLP is added to a head of the first        transmission packet arranged in the payload of the divided        packet.

(28)

The processing device according to any one of (18) to (27), in which

-   -   the first transmission method is an IP transmission method,    -   the first transmission packet is an ALP packet defined by ATSC        3.0,    -   the second transmission method is an MPEG2-TS method, and    -   the second transmission packet is a TS packet.

(29)

The processing device according to (28), in which

-   -   the packet length of the second transmission packet is 188        bytes,    -   the first transmission packet is divided to obtain the divided        packet in units of 188 bytes, and    -   the header of the divided packet includes information        corresponding to a TS header of the TS packet.

(30)

A data processing method by a processing device, the data processingmethod including a step of:

-   -   by the processing device,    -   processing a first transmission packet restored from data        arranged in a payload on the basis of information included in a        header of a divided packet input via a predetermined interface,        in which    -   the first transmission packet is a variable-length packet used        in a first transmission method and is obtained from a broadcast        signal, and    -   the divided packet is obtained by dividing the first        transmission packet into a packet length according to a second        transmission packet that is a fixed-length packet used in a        second transmission method and arranging the first transmission        packet in a payload, and adding a header including information        for restoring the first transmission packet to the payload.

(31)

A reception device including:

-   -   a demodulation unit configured to demodulate a first        transmission packet obtained from a broadcast signal; and    -   a processing unit configured to process the first transmission        packet demodulated by the demodulation unit, in which    -   the demodulation unit and the processing unit are connected via        a predetermined interface,    -   the demodulation unit outputs a divided packet to the processing        unit, the divided packet being obtained by dividing the first        transmission packet that is a variable-length packet used in a        first transmission method into a packet length according to a        second transmission packet that is a fixed-length packet used in        a second transmission method and arranging the first        transmission packet in a payload, and adding a header including        information for restoring the first transmission packet to the        payload, and    -   the processing unit processes the first transmission packet        restored from data arranged in the payload on the basis of        information included in the header of the divided packet input        from the demodulation unit.

(32)

The reception device according to (31), in which

-   -   the demodulation unit sequentially divides the first        transmission packet and sequentially arranges the first        transmission packet in the payload of the divided packet.

(33)

The reception device according to (31), in which,

-   -   when the demodulation unit sequentially divides the first        transmission packet and sequentially arranges the first        transmission packet in the payload of the divided packet, the        demodulation unit causes a head of the first transmission packet        to match a head of the payload of the divided packet.

(34)

The reception device according to (33), in which,

-   -   when a boundary of the first transmission packet arranged in the        payload of the divided packet arrives, zero padding or an        arbitrary fixed sequence is inserted to a remaining region or a        middle region according to the fixed length of the divided        packet.

(35)

The reception device according to (33) or (34), in which

-   -   the header of the divided packet is added only to the payload of        the divided packet, the payload including the head of the first        transmission packet, of the divided packets.

(36)

The reception device according to any one of (31) to (35), in which

-   -   the header of the divided packet includes information of one or        more of    -   a synchronization byte for detecting the head of the divided        packet,    -   an error indicator indicating presence or absence of an error of        the first transmission packet arranged in the payload of the        divided packet,    -   time information indicating a specific position of a physical        layer frame,    -   a first pointer indicating a position of the head of the first        transmission packet arranged in the payload of the divided        packet,    -   a second pointer indicating the position of the head of the        first transmission packet of when PLP_ID for identifying PLP is        switched, and    -   a packet ID for identifying the divided packet.

(37)

The reception device according to (36), in which

-   -   a position of a first head, of the positions of the heads of the        first transmission packets arranged in the payload of the        divided packet, is specified with the position of the head        indicated by the pointer, and a position of a second or        subsequent head is specified with the position of the head        indicated by the pointer and the packet length of the first        transmission packet.

(38)

The reception device according to (36) or (37), in which

-   -   a fixed ID or the PLP_ID of the first transmission packet        arranged in the payload of the divided packet is assigned to the        packet ID.

(39)

The reception device according to any one of (36) to (38), in which

-   -   the time information, the first pointer, and the second pointer        are arranged according to a flag indicating presence or absence        of these pieces of information.

(40)

The reception device according to any one of (31) to (39), in which

-   -   the divided packet includes an adaptation field, and    -   the adaptation field includes at least one of time information        indicating a specific position of a physical layer frame        including the first transmission packet or PLP_ID for        identifying PLP.

(41)

The reception device according to any one of (31) to (40), in which

-   -   the first transmission packet is transmitted by a plurality of        PLPs, and    -   a specific first transmission packet, of the first transmission        packets obtained for the respective PLPs, includes PLP_ID for        identifying PLP to which the first transmission packet belongs.

(42)

The reception device according to any one of (31) to (41), in which

-   -   a specific first transmission packet, of the first transmission        packets, includes time information indicating a specific        position of a physical layer frame including the first        transmission packet.

(43)

The reception device according to (42), in which,

-   -   in the divided packet, in a case where the first transmission        packet including the time information is arranged in the payload        of the divided packet, zero padding or an arbitrary fixed        sequence is inserted.

(44)

The reception device according to any one of (31) to (35), in which

-   -   PLP_ID for identifying PLP is added to a head of the first        transmission packet arranged in the payload of the divided        packet.

(45)

The reception device according to any one of (31) to (44), in which

-   -   the first transmission method is an IP transmission method,    -   the first transmission packet is an ALP packet defined by ATSC        3.0,    -   the second transmission method is an MPEG2-TS method, and    -   the second transmission packet is a TS packet.

(46)

The reception device according to (45), in which

-   -   the packet length of the second transmission packet is 188        bytes,    -   the first transmission packet is divided to obtain the divided        packet in units of 188 bytes, and    -   the header of the divided packet includes information        corresponding to a TS header of the TS packet.

(47)

The reception device according to any one of (31) to (46), in which

-   -   the demodulation unit is a demodulation device, and    -   the processing unit is a system on chip (SoC).

(48)

A data processing method by a reception device including

-   -   a demodulation unit configured to demodulate a first        transmission packet obtained from a broadcast signal, and    -   a processing unit configured to process the first transmission        packet demodulated by the demodulation unit,    -   the demodulation unit and the processing unit being connected        via a predetermined interface, the data processing method        including steps of:    -   by the demodulation unit, outputting a divided packet to the        processing unit, the divided packet being obtained by dividing        the first transmission packet that is a variable-length packet        used in a first transmission method into a packet length        according to a second transmission packet that is a fixed-length        packet used in a second transmission method and arranging the        first transmission packet in a payload, and adding a header        including information for restoring the first transmission        packet to the payload; and    -   by the processing unit, processing the first transmission packet        restored from data arranged in the payload on the basis of        information included in the header of the divided packet input        from the demodulation unit.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 Broadcast system-   10 Transmission device-   20 Reception device-   30 Transmission line-   201 Demodulation circuit-   202 Processing circuit-   203 Physical interface-   211 Demodulation unit-   212 Error correction unit-   213 I/F unit-   221 Memory-   222 Demux-   223 Memory-   224 SW processing unit-   1000 Computer-   1001 CPU

The invention claimed is:
 1. A demodulation device, comprising: ademodulation circuitry configured to demodulate a first transmissionpacket obtained from a broadcast signal; and processing circuitryconfigured to output a divided packet via a predetermined interface, thedivided packet being obtained by dividing the first transmission packet,which is a variable-length packet used in a first transmission method,into a packet length according to a size of a second transmissionpacket, which is a fixed-length packet used in a second transmissionmethod, arranging at least a portion of the first transmission packet ina payload, and adding, to the payload, a header including informationfor restoring the first transmission packet, wherein a length of theheader varies depending on whether or not a head of the firsttransmission packet is included in the payload of the divided packet. 2.The demodulation device according to claim 1, wherein the processingcircuitry is further configured to sequentially divide the firsttransmission packet and sequentially arrange the first transmissionpacket in the payload of the divided packet.
 3. The demodulation deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to sequentially divide the first transmission packet andsequentially arrange the first transmission packet in the payload of thedivided packet such that the head of the first transmission packetmatches a head of the payload of the divided packet.
 4. The demodulationdevice according to claim 3, wherein, when a boundary of the firsttransmission packet arranged in the payload of the divided packetarrives, the processing circuitry is further configured to insert zeropadding or an arbitrary fixed sequence to a remaining region or a middleregion according to the fixed length of the divided packet.
 5. Thedemodulation device according to claim 3, wherein the processingcircuitry is further configured to add the header of the divided packetonly to the payload of the divided packet when the payload includes thehead of the first transmission packet, of the divided packets.
 6. Thedemodulation device according to claim 1, wherein the header of thedivided packet includes information of one or more of a synchronizationbyte for detecting a head of the divided packet, an error indicatorindicating presence or absence of an error of the first transmissionpacket arranged in the payload of the divided packet, time informationindicating a specific position of a physical layer frame including thefirst transmission packet, a first pointer indicating a position of thehead of the first transmission packet arranged in the payload of thedivided packet, a second pointer indicating the position of the head ofthe first transmission packet of when a PLP_ID identifying a physicallayer pipe (PLP) is switched, and a packet ID identifying the dividedpacket.
 7. The demodulation device according to claim 6, wherein aposition of a first head, of positions of heads of first transmissionpackets arranged in the payload of the divided packet, is specified withthe position of the first head indicated by the first pointer, and aposition of a second or subsequent head is specified with the positionof the first head indicated by the first pointer and the packet lengthof the first transmission packet.
 8. The demodulation device accordingto claim 6, wherein a fixed ID or the PLP_ID of the first transmissionpacket arranged in the payload of the divided packet is assigned to thepacket ID.
 9. The demodulation device according to claim 6, wherein thetime information, the first pointer, and the second pointer are arrangedaccording to a flag indicating presence or absence of the timeinformation, the first pointer, and the second pointer.
 10. Thedemodulation device according to claim 1, wherein the divided packetincludes an adaptation field, and the adaptation field includes at leastone of time information indicating a specific position of a physicallayer frame including the first transmission packet or a PLP_IDidentifying a PLP.
 11. The demodulation device according to claim 1,wherein the first transmission packet is transmitted by a plurality ofPLPs, and a specific first transmission packet, of first transmissionpackets obtained for the respective PLPs, includes a PLP_ID identifyinga PLP to which the specific first transmission packet belongs.
 12. Thedemodulation device according to claim 1, wherein a specific firsttransmission packet, of first transmission packets, includes timeinformation indicating a specific position of a physical layer frameincluding the specific first transmission packet.
 13. The demodulationdevice according to claim 12, wherein, in the divided packet, when thefirst transmission packet including the time information is arranged inthe payload of the divided packet, zero padding or an arbitrary fixedsequence is inserted.
 14. The demodulation device according to claim 1,wherein a PLP_ID identifying a PLP is added to the head of the firsttransmission packet arranged in the payload of the divided packet. 15.The demodulation device according to claim 1, wherein the firsttransmission method is an internet protocol (IP) transmission method,the first transmission packet is an ATSC link-layer protocol (ALP)packet defined by Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0, thesecond transmission method is an MPEG2-transport stream (TS) method, andthe second transmission packet is a TS packet.
 16. The demodulationdevice according to claim 15, wherein the packet length of the secondtransmission packet is 188 bytes, the first transmission packet isdivided to obtain the divided packet in units of 188 bytes, and theheader of the divided packet includes information corresponding to a TSheader of the TS packet.
 17. A data processing method by a demodulationdevice, the data processing method comprising: demodulating, by thedemodulation device, a first transmission packet obtained from abroadcast signal; and outputting a divided packet via a predeterminedinterface, the divided packet being obtained by dividing the firsttransmission packet, which is a variable-length packet used in a firsttransmission method, into a packet length according to a size of asecond transmission packet, which is a fixed-length packet used in asecond transmission method, arranging at least a portion of the firsttransmission packet in a payload, and adding, to the payload, a headerincluding information for restoring the first transmission packet,wherein a length of the header varies depending on whether or not a headof the first transmission packet is included in the payload of thedivided packet.
 18. A processing device, comprising: processingcircuitry configured to process a first transmission packet restoredfrom data arranged in a payload based on information included in aheader of a divided packet input via a predetermined interface, whereinthe first transmission packet is a variable-length packet used in afirst transmission method and is obtained from a broadcast signal, andthe divided packet is obtained by dividing the first transmission packetinto a packet length according to a size of a second transmissionpacket, which is a fixed-length packet used in a second transmissionmethod, arranging at least a portion of the first transmission packet inthe payload, and adding, to the payload, the header, includinginformation for restoring the first transmission packet, wherein alength of the header varies depending on whether or not a head of thefirst transmission packet is included in the payload of the dividedpacket.
 19. The processing device according to claim 18, wherein theheader of the divided packet includes information of one or more of asynchronization byte for detecting a head of the divided packet, anerror indicator indicating presence or absence of an error of the firsttransmission packet arranged in the payload of the divided packet, timeinformation indicating a specific position of a physical layer frameincluding the first transmission packet, a first pointer indicating aposition of the head of the first transmission packet arranged in thepayload of the payload, a second pointer indicating the position of thehead of the first transmission packet of when a PLP_ID identifying a PLPis switched, and a packet ID identifying the divided packet.
 20. Theprocessing device according to claim 19, wherein a position of a firsthead, of positions of heads of first transmission packets arranged inthe payload of the divided packet, is specified with the position of thefirst head indicated by the first pointer, and a position of a second orsubsequent head is specified with the position of the first headindicated by the first pointer and the packet length of the firsttransmission packet.
 21. The processing device according to claim 19,wherein a fixed ID or the PLP_ID of the first transmission packetarranged in the payload of the divided packet is assigned to the packetID.
 22. The processing device according to claim 19, wherein the timeinformation, the first pointer, and the second pointer are arrangedaccording to a flag indicating presence or absence of the timeinformation, the first pointer, and the second pointer.
 23. Theprocessing device according to claim 18, wherein the divided packetincludes an adaptation field, and the adaptation field includes at leastone of time information indicating a specific position of a physicallayer frame including the first transmission packet or a PLP_IDidentifying a PLP.
 24. The processing device according to claim 18,wherein the first transmission packet is transmitted by a plurality ofPLPs, and a specific first transmission packet, of first transmissionpackets obtained for the respective PLPs, includes a PLP_ID identifyinga PLP to which the specific first transmission packet belongs.
 25. Theprocessing device according to claim 18, wherein a specific firsttransmission packet, of first transmission packets, includes timeinformation indicating a specific position of a physical layer frameincluding the specific first transmission packet.
 26. The processingdevice according to claim 25, wherein, in the divided packet, when thefirst transmission packet including the time information is arranged inthe payload of the divided packet, zero padding or an arbitrary fixedsequence is inserted.
 27. The processing device according to claim 18,wherein a PLP_ID identifying a PLP is added to the head of the firsttransmission packet arranged in the payload of the divided packet. 28.The processing device according to claim 18, wherein the firsttransmission method is an IP transmission method, the first transmissionpacket is an ALP packet defined by ATSC 3.0, the second transmissionmethod is an MPEG2-TS method, and the second transmission packet is a TSpacket.
 29. The processing device according to claim 28, wherein thepacket length of the second transmission packet is 188 bytes, the firsttransmission packet is divided to obtain the divided packet in units of188 bytes, and the header of the divided packet includes informationcorresponding to a TS header of the TS packet.
 30. A data processingmethod by a processing circuitry, the data processing method comprising:processing, by the processing circuitry, a first transmission packetrestored from data arranged in a payload based on information includedin a header of a divided packet input via a predetermined interface,wherein the first transmission packet is a variable-length packet usedin a first transmission method and is obtained from a broadcast signal,and the divided packet is obtained by dividing the first transmissionpacket into a packet length according to a size of a second transmissionpacket, which is a fixed-length packet used in a second transmissionmethod, arranging at least a portion of the first transmission packet inthe payload, and adding, to the payload, the header includinginformation for restoring the first transmission packet, wherein alength of the header varies depending on whether or not a head of thefirst transmission packet is included in the payload of the dividedpacket.
 31. A reception device, comprising: demodulation circuitryconfigured to demodulate a first transmission packet obtained from abroadcast signal; and processing circuitry configured to process thefirst transmission packet demodulated by the demodulation circuitry,wherein the demodulation circuitry and the processing circuitryconnected via a predetermined interface, the demodulation circuitry isconfigured to output a divided packet to the processing circuitry, thedivided packet being obtained by dividing the first transmission packet,which is a variable-length packet used in a first transmission method,into a packet length according to a size of a second transmissionpacket, which is a fixed-length packet used in a second transmissionmethod, arranging at least a portion of the first transmission packet ina payload, and adding, to the payload, a header including informationfor restoring the first transmission packet, wherein a length of theheader varies depending on whether or not a head of the firsttransmission packet is included in the payload of the divided packet,and the processing circuitry is configured to process, the firsttransmission packet restored from data arranged in the payload based oninformation included in the header of the divided packet input from thedemodulation circuitry.
 32. The reception device according to claim 31,wherein the demodulation circuitry is configured to sequentially dividethe first transmission packet and sequentially arrange the firsttransmission packet in the payload of the divided packet.
 33. Thereception device according to claim 31, wherein, when the demodulationcircuitry sequentially divides the first transmission packet andsequentially arranges the first transmission packet in the payload ofthe divided packet, the demodulation circuitry is further configured tocause the head of the first transmission packet to match a head of thepayload of the divided packet.
 34. The reception device according toclaim 33, wherein, when a boundary of the first transmission packetarranged in the payload of the divided packet arrives, zero padding oran arbitrary fixed sequence is inserted to a remaining region or amiddle region according to the fixed length of the divided packet. 35.The reception device according to claim 33, wherein the header of thedivided packet is added only to the payload of the divided packet whenthe payload includes, the head of the first transmission packet, of thedivided packets.
 36. The reception device according to claim 31, whereinthe header of the divided packet includes information of one or more ofa synchronization byte for detecting a head of the divided packet, anerror indicator indicating presence or absence of an error of the firsttransmission packet arranged in the payload of the divided packet, timeinformation indicating a specific position of a physical layer frame, afirst pointer indicating a position of the head of the firsttransmission packet arranged in the payload of the divided packet, asecond pointer indicating the position of the head of the firsttransmission packet of when a PLP_ID identifying a PLP is switched, anda packet ID identifying the divided packet.
 37. The reception deviceaccording to claim 36, wherein a position of a first head, of positionsof heads of first transmission packets arranged in the payload of thedivided packet, is specified with the position of the first headindicated by the first pointer, and a position of a second or subsequenthead is specified with the position of the first head indicated by thefirst pointer and the packet length of the first transmission packet.38. The reception device according to claim 36, wherein a fixed ID orthe PLP_ID of the first transmission packet arranged in the payload ofthe divided packet is assigned to the packet ID.
 39. The receptiondevice according to claim 36, wherein the time information, the firstpointer, and the second pointer are arranged according to a flagindicating presence or absence of the time information, the firstpointer, and the second pointer.
 40. The reception device according toclaim 31, wherein the divided packet includes an adaptation field, andthe adaptation field includes at least one of time informationindicating a specific position of a physical layer frame including thefirst transmission packet or a PLP_ID identifying a PLP.
 41. Thereception device according to claim 31, wherein the first transmissionpacket is transmitted by a plurality of PLPs, and a specific firsttransmission packet, of first transmission packets obtained for therespective PLPs, includes a PLP_ID identifying a PLP to which thespecific first transmission packet belongs.
 42. The reception deviceaccording to claim 31, wherein a specific first transmission packet, offirst transmission packets, includes time information indicating aspecific position of a physical layer frame including the specific firsttransmission packet.
 43. The reception device according to claim 42,wherein, in the divided packet, when the first transmission packetincluding the time information is arranged in the payload of the dividedpacket, zero padding or an arbitrary fixed sequence is inserted.
 44. Thereception device according to claim 31, wherein a PLP_ID identifying aPLP is added to the head of the first transmission packet arranged inthe payload of the divided packet.
 45. The reception device according toclaim 31, wherein the first transmission method is an IP transmissionmethod, the first transmission packet is an ALP packet defined by ATSC3.0, the second transmission method is an MPEG2-TS method, and thesecond transmission packet is a TS packet.
 46. The reception deviceaccording to claim 45, wherein the packet length of the secondtransmission packet is 188 bytes, the first transmission packet isdivided to obtain the divided packet in units of 188 bytes, and theheader of the divided packet includes information corresponding to a TSheader of the TS packet.
 47. The reception device according to claim 31,wherein the demodulation circuity is a demodulation device, and theprocessing circuitry is a system on chip (SoC).
 48. A data processingmethod by a reception device including demodulation circuitry configuredto demodulate a first transmission packet obtained from a broadcastsignal, and processing circuitry configured to process the firsttransmission packet demodulated by the demodulation circuitry, thedemodulation circuitry and the processing circuitry being connected viaa predetermined interface, the data processing method comprising: by thedemodulation circuitry, outputting a divided packet to the processingcircuitry, the divided packet being obtained by dividing the firsttransmission packet, which is a variable-length packet used in a firsttransmission method into a packet length according to a size of a secondtransmission packet, which is a fixed-length packet used in a secondtransmission method, arranging at least a portion of the firsttransmission packet in a payload, and adding, to the payload, a headerincluding information for restoring the first transmission packet,wherein a length of the header varies depending on whether or not a headof the first transmission packet is included in the payload of thedivided packet; and by the processing circuitry, processing the firsttransmission packet restored from data arranged in the payload based oninformation included in the header of the divided packet input from thedemodulation circuitry.